OLYMPICS

Olympic Games 2012: Construction

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what the bid book estimate is for construction of  (a) the broadcast/media centre and  (b) the athletes village for the London 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: The bid book capital investment estimate for the International Broadcast Centre and Main Press Centre (IBC/MPC) was $215 million (approx. £134.4 million at a USD/GBP exchange rate of 1.6). The bid book capital investment estimate for the Olympic Village was $1.04 billion (approx. £650 million at a USD/GBP exchange rate of 1.6).
	The bid book figures were calculated at 2004 prices in US Dollars (an IOC requirement) and did not include VAT.

Olympic Games 2012: Disabled

Mark Harper: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what discussions she has had with the Olympic Delivery Authority on the accessibility of the Olympic Village for people with disabilities; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: The Olympic Village will be fully accessible to disabled people and comply with both the spirit and the intent of all relevant legislation, including the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and its supporting code of practice and will exceed the requirements of the UK's Building Regulations (Part M).
	I am fully committed to ensuring that the Village is a model of accessibility. To that end, the ODA's Access and Inclusion Forum meets on a quarterly basis to advise on areas of inclusive design through the sharing of knowledge and experience. It has representation from a lead disability organisation within each of the five boroughs, as well as the Borough Access Officers and key external stakeholders.
	In addition to the forum, the ODA Access Panels—one for the built environment and one for transport—target the more specific issues around those areas. The Panels provide specialist disability and inclusive design experts to review and advise upon Park commitments—both at Games time and in legacy—and have final sign-off on ODA build commitments. In support of this, the ODA has also appointed two Principal Access Officers, one specialising in transport accessibility, and one specialising in the built environment. These Officers are responsible for the development of inclusive design within the ODA's programme.

Olympic Games 2012: Disabled

Mark Harper: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many residences in the Olympic Village will be accessible to disabled people.

Tessa Jowell: London 2012's Olympic and Paralympic Village have been designed from the outset as an accessible and inclusive community. During Games time, the Village will provide over 17,320 beds to athletes and officials and 8,700 during the Paralympic Games, all of which will be wheelchair accessible.
	The Village will comply with both the spirit and the intent of the relevant legislation, including the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)1995 and its supporting code of practices. In addition, it will exceed the requirements of the UK's Building Regulations (Part M). For example, the design of bathrooms throughout the Village will exceed the IPC minimum requirements.
	In legacy, the Olympic Village will provide approximately 4,000 residential units. These units are all being designed to ensure that all people, young and old, single or in families, disabled and non-disabled can benefit. As many of the Village units as is practicable will be built to Lifetime Homes Standards. In addition, at least 10 per cent. of these units also will be fully accessible to wheelchairs.

Olympic Games 2012: Land

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what legal arrangements have been made for the sale of surplus land after the 2012 Olympics to pay back moneys taken from the Lottery; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: I refer the hon. Member to my written statement to the House on 27 March 2007 in which I announced the revised Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government and the Mayor of London.
	This MOU sets out how the land acquired for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be sold and the moneys realised. It puts in place arrangements for sharing the profits that are expected to be generated by the increase in land and property values in the Olympic Park as a result of the investment for the Games. Both the Government and the Mayor have stated their shared intention to abide by the terms of the MOU.
	The Memorandum shows details of the amounts we expect to be recovered, from the sale of land acquired by the London Development Agency for the purposes of delivering the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and how these funds will be allocated between the London Development Agency and the National Lottery.
	Copies of the Memorandum are available in the Library of the House.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Road Traffic Offences

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Leader of the House how many  (a) parking tickets and  (b) speeding fines were issued for vehicles used by her Office in each of the last 10 years; and what the cost to the public purse of those penalties was in each year.

Helen Goodman: Following a machinery of government change, detailed information on expenditure incurred prior to 2007-08 is available only at disproportionate cost.
	Since June 2007, there have been no parking tickets or speeding fines issued to the Office of the Leader of the House of Commons.

WOMEN AND EQUALITY

Crimes of Violence: Females

Theresa May: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what meetings she has held since 27 June 2007 with representatives of  (a) rape crisis centres,  (b) women's refuges,  (c) sexual assault referral centres,  (d) prostitution, trafficking and sexual exploitation support services and  (e) other third sector organisations dealing with violence against women.

Barbara Follett: Since 27 June 2007, the Ministers for Women and Equality have had meetings and maintained contact with stakeholders and third sector organisations on a range of issues, including violence against women.

Prostitution

Theresa May: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what meetings  (a) she and  (b) the deputy Minister for Women and Equality has had with Ministerial colleagues on the Government's policy on prostitution in each of the last three months.

Barbara Follett: The Ministers for Women and Equality are in close and regular contact with ministerial colleagues about this issue. In addition, the deputy Minister for Women and Equality sits on the Inter-departmental Ministerial Group on Sexual Violence, to which progress on the Prostitution Strategy is reported.

PRIME MINISTER

China

Dai Davies: To ask the Prime Minister which British business leaders accompanied him on his recent visit to China and India; on what basis they were invited; what bilateral business agreements were made during the visit; what the outcomes from the trip were; and if he will make a statement.

Gordon Brown: The following business leaders accompanied me on my trip to China and India:
	
		
			  Name  Organisation 
			 Dr. Jack Gao News Corporation 
			 David Brennan Astra Zeneca 
			 Gary Dirks BP 
			 Alan Parker Brunswick Group 
			 Sir David Brewer CBBC 
			 Mouzhan Majidi Foster and Partners 
			 Professor Drummond Bone Liverpool University 
			 Sir Colin Campbell Nottingham University 
			 John Napier RSA 
			 Carla Furse London Stock Exchange 
			 Jorma Ollila Shell 
			 Sir Bill Gammell Cairn Energy 
			 Lord Paul of Marylebone Caparo 
			 Lord Karan Bilimoria UKIBC 
			 Philip Yea 3i 
			 Terry Hill Arup 
			 Marcus Agius Barclays 
			 Sir Adrian Montague British Energy Group 
			 Angad Paul Caparo 
			 Richard Lambert CBI 
			 Stuart Popham Clifford Chance 
			 John Connolly Deloitte 
			 Mark Otty Ernst & Young 
			 Sir Anthony Bamford JCB 
			 Rick Trainor KCL 
			 John Griffith-Jones KPMG 
			 Lord Peter Levene Lloyds 
			 Dr. John Hood Oxford University 
			 Sir David Clementi Prudential 
			 Peter Sands Standard Chartered 
			 Gerry Grimstone Standard Life 
			 Professor Malcolm Grant UCL 
			 Sir Richard Branson Virgin 
			 Arun Sarin Vodafone

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Charles Walker: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the special advisers employed in his Office since 6 May 1997; and what the  (a) start and  (b) end date of employment was in each case.

Gordon Brown: Since 2003, the Government have published on an annual basis the names and overall cost of special advisers and the number in each payband. Information on the number of special advisers before 2003 was provided at regular intervals. This information is available in the Libraries of the House.

Departmental Responsibilities: Floods

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Prime Minister what progress has been made in giving one Government Department responsibility for all flooding matters.

Gordon Brown: The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs is the lead department for all flooding matters in England. This includes ensuring that the Environment Agency and local responders such as the emergency services and local authorities have suitable arrangements and capabilities in place to respond to flood emergencies on the ground.
	Work to co-ordinate the wider Government flood recovery effort is led by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Energy

Richard Spring: To ask the Prime Minister how many times he met representatives of  (a) Npower,  (b) EDF,  (c) Powergen,  (d) British Energy,  (e) Scottish Power and  (f) Scottish and Southern Energy in each of the last five years.

Gordon Brown: The information requested is not held by my Office.

National Security Strategy

Keith Simpson: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  what the reasons were for the decision to change the publication of the National Security Strategy from its announced publication date of autumn 2007;
	(2)  when he plans to publish the National Security Strategy.

Gordon Brown: I refer the hon. Member to the content of my statement on national security on 14 November 2007,  Official Report, column 667.

WALES

Suicide: Males

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent meetings have been held with National Assembly for Wales Government Ministers to discuss the number of male suicides in Wales.

Paul Murphy: I have discussed the issue of suicides in Wales with the First Minister.
	Such tragic incidences are of great concern and distress to me. I congratulate my hon. Friend for successfully securing an adjournment debate for Thursday this week to raise awareness and to discuss this important issue.
	In the meantime, a taskforce, which includes police, children's services and mental health experts, is examining other so-called copycat suicides by young people in Bridgend since 2004. The taskforce will determine if there are any links between the suicides and ensure that other young people, many of them friends of the victims, have access to counselling and other support services.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Information Officers

Jeremy Browne: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how many  (a) press and  (b) communications officers the House of Commons Commission employed in each of the last 10 years.

Nick Harvey: The House of Commons Commission first employed a Media and Communications Adviser in October 2000. Since this date the following additional staff have been employed:
	2001: 1 x Media and Communications Assistant (part-time)
	2003: 1 x Select Committee Media Officer
	2004: 2 x Select Committee Media Officers
	2005: 2 x Media and Communications Officers
	2006: 2 x Select Committee Media Officers
	There are currently nine staff in the House of Commons Media and Communications Service: the Communications Adviser, five Select Committee Media Officers, two Media and Communications Officers and a Media and Communications Assistant.

Information Officers

Jeremy Browne: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how much the Commission paid in bonuses to press and communication officers in each of the last 10 years; and what the  (a) highest and  (b) lowest such bonus was in each of those years.

Nick Harvey: In order to protect the privacy of the staff concerned, the value of payments made in each year cannot be disclosed. However, for the years in question the House of Commons Commission paid a total of £5,174 in respect of performance related bonuses to press and communications officers. The individual amounts paid ranged from £74 to £515.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he has taken to promote the safety of his Department's employees operating in  (a) Afghanistan and  (b) Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The safety and security of all staff in countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq is a top priority for DFID. We take all possible measures to ensure this including, where appropriate, providing hardened accommodation and office facilities, and specialist training for staff. DFID staff and consultants are covered by Foreign and Commonwealth Office security management procedures. Current security provisions are under constant review in order to ensure we provide maximum safety to our staff. Each and every security incident is considered carefully, and we have already made a number of enhancements to our security provisions as a result of recent incidents.

Afghanistan: Overseas Aid

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the delivery of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Shahid Malik: DFID monitors the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan very closely. We receive regular updates from the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan and other UN agencies such as the High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Office for Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).
	UNOCHA recently conducted a workshop in Afghanistan which looked at the key humanitarian challenges in delivering humanitarian aid and how donors could better co-ordinate to improve its delivery and effectiveness. The final report should be available in March 2008.
	In 2006-07 DFID provided £1.6 million in bilateral humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. Afghanistan is also one of the largest recipients of UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) support, to which the UK is the largest contributor (23 per cent. of total CERF value in 2006). Afghanistan received $32.3 million from CERF in 2006. We also provide core funding to UNICEF, the World Food Programme, and UNHCR, all of whom have operations in Afghanistan.

Departmental Foreign Workers

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many UK staff his Department employs in each country overseas.

Douglas Alexander: The number of UK staff employed by the Department for International Development (DFID) in each country overseas, is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  DFID country offices—full delegated authority 
			  Country  All HCS 
			 Afghanistan 24 
			 Bangladesh 22 
			 Burma 3 
			 Burundi 3 
			 Cambodia 8 
			   
			 Caribbean regional (Barbados)—covers country offices in: 2 
			 Guyana 4 
			 Jamaica 1 
			 Haiti 1 
			   
			 China 8 
			 Democratic republic of Congo 13 
			 Ethiopia 18 
			 Ghana 9 
			 India(1) 23 
			 Indonesia 2 
			 Kenya 12 
			 Malawi 14 
			 Mozambique 10 
			 Nepal 13 
			 Nigeria (Abuja)(2) 27 
			 Pakistan 22 
			 Rwanda 9 
			 Sierra Leone (covering Liberia) 14 
			 South-east Asia (Thailand—closes 2008) 5 
			   
			 South Africa (Pretoria)—covers country offices in: 11 
			 Angola 1 
			 Lesotho 1 
			   
			 Sudan 17 
			 Tanzania 9 
			 Uganda 14 
			 Vietnam 7 
			 Zambia 10 
			 Zimbabwe 8 
			 Bosnia 1 
			 Kosovo 1 
			 Kyrgyzstan 2 
			 Tajikistan 2 
			 Ukraine 1 
			 Serbia and Montenegro 1 
			 Bolivia 1 
			 Brazil 2 
			 Nicaragua 2 
			 Iraq 7 
			 Jerusalem (Palestinian territories) 5 
			 Yemen 3 
			 Montserrat 4 
			 St. Helena 6 
			 Gambia 1 
			 Belgium—EU and UKrep 7 
			 France—OECD and UNESCO 2 
			 Italy—UNFAO 2 
			 Switzerland—UKMIS 1 
			 USA—World Bank and Un 1 
			   
			 Grand total (all staff overseas) 397 
			 (1) India numbers include those staff in the state offices in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya, Orissa and West Bengal. (2) Nigeria numbers include those staff in the state offices in Lagos, Kano and Enugu.

Departmental Vehicles

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many vehicles were  (a) owned and  (b) purchased by his Department in each of the last 10 years.

Shahid Malik: Information on the number of vehicles owned and purchased in each of the last 10 years is not held centrally and could not be provided without incurring a disproportionate cost.

Developing Countries: Trade

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with the World Trade Organisation on the Doha trade round; and what assessment he has made of the prospects for the agreement of a new trade deal in 2008.

Gareth Thomas: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development discussed the Doha trade round with Pascal Lamy, director general of the World Trade Organisation, during the World Economic Forum in Davos in January.
	It is still possible to reach agreement on a Doha trade deal in 2008 if there is movement from all concerned. It is important that all parties show flexibility in the negotiations to try and resolve outstanding issues. We are now waiting for the revised chairs' negotiating texts, which are expected to be issued in February, and which will provide the basis for further negotiations and a possible agreement.

Holocaust Memorial Day

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department took to mark the suffering of the victims of the  (a) Holocaust and  (b) recent genocides on Holocaust Memorial Day.

Shahid Malik: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government spoke at the Holocaust Memorial Day 2008 in Liverpool, which took place on 27 January. I also attended in my role as a trustee of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. The powerful commemoration rightly acknowledged the suffering experienced by the victims of other more recent atrocities including those that occurred in Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

National Security

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what role his Department has played in drafting the National Security Strategy; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: DFID is working closely with the Cabinet Office and other interested Departments and agencies to produce the National Security Strategy.

Vietnam: Chemical Weapons

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the continuing effects of the chemical warfare in Vietnam; and what plans he has for assistance to the Government of Vietnam to mitigate such effects.

Shahid Malik: Over the past 12 years, the Ministry of Health in Vietnam have been carrying out a comprehensive assessment of the continuing effects of dioxin contamination across the country. The evidence shows that the majority of land in Vietnam is not contaminated and that concentrations of dioxin in most of Vietnam are within international guidelines. However, there remain "hotspots" of serious contamination particularly around former US bases where dioxin and other herbicides were stored and deployed. The main priorities are to protect communities living in these areas and to provide support for those already affected.
	The Vietnam Government are implementing policies, standards and guidelines to deal with the problem. This work is being funded by a number of agencies including the Canadian International Development Agency, Ford Foundation, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation. DFID provides budget support to Vietnam through its funding of the World Bank's Poverty Reduction Support Credit. Part of this supports work on environmental standards and waste management. In addition, our education programmes (around £40 million) support inclusive education for children with disabilities (including from dioxin) and our core funds to the UN (£4 million) also support UN work on environmental management. A large number of international and national non-governmental organisations also provide support to Agent Orange victims, including the Vietnam Red Cross, Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange, the Fund for Reconciliation and Development, and Oxfam-Hong Kong.

Water Supply

Elliot Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 1498-99W, on water supply, if he will formally recognise the contribution made by the late Thuli Khambule, South African co-ordinator for the Partners for Water and Sanitation, on the work undertaken on achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Gareth Thomas: Thuli Khambule joined the Partners for Water and Sanitation (PAWS) in September 2003 and over the next few years directed much needed support to South African municipalities in their delivery of water and sanitation services, through PAWS and other programmes.
	PAWS staff, partners and friends have paid tribute to her guidance, knowledge and dignity in making the South Africa programme a success. The continued work of the PAWS South Africa programme to help improve the lives of poor people will be a fitting tribute to Thuli Khambule.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Capita

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was paid by his Department to Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries in each financial year since 2000; which contracts were awarded by his Department to Capita Group plc in each year from 2000-01 to the most recent available date; what the cost was of each contract; what penalties for default were imposed in contract provisions; what the length was of each contract; whether the contract was advertised; how many companies applied for the contract; how many were short-listed; what criteria were used for choosing a company; what provision was made for renewal without re-tender in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: The Northern Ireland Office paid Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries the following amounts in each year since 2000-01:
	
		
			   Amount (£) 
			 2000-01 46,015 
			 2001-02 26,645 
			 2002-03 236,345 
			 2003-04 154,046 
			 2004-05 16,021 
			 2005-06 73,054 
			 2006-07 0 
			 Total 552,126 
		
	
	The contracts which have been awarded centrally to Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries since 2000-01 are as follows:
	
		
			  Contract awarded  Date  Value (£) 
			 NIO Review of the State Pathologists Department May 2001 28,610 
			 NIO Review of Funding to Nexus Institute February 2003 4,750 
			 Options Appraisal for a Centralised Mortuary Facility November 2003 38,623 
		
	
	The payments which are not covered by central contracts are set up by departmental divisions using the departmental procurement guidelines. These divisional contracts are set up when their value is less than £10,000.
	Penalties for default are illegal under UK Contract Law so incentives or pre-estimates of damages are commonly used instead.
	As the information has been gathered from a number of business areas, provision of details relating to the length of the contracts; whether they were advertised; how many companies applied for each contract; how many companies were short listed for each contract; what criteria were used for choosing a company and what provision was made for renewal without re-tender could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Crime Prevention: Elderly

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Community Safety Unit will complete and publish its evaluation of the Proposals for the Safety of Older People document.

Paul Goggins: The Northern Ireland Office Community Safety Unit received 29 responses to the consultation on Proposals for the Safety of Older People and is in the process of evaluating these comments. A summary of the responses will be published on the NIO website in mid-March.

Crime: Belfast

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons have been charged in connection with the incident in which two young men were publicly paraded with placards on the Shankill Road, Belfast, on 11 January 2008.

Paul Goggins: I have been advised by the PSNI that no persons have as yet been arrested or charged in connection with this incident and enquiries into this matter continue. All acts of criminality should be dealt with through the proper authorities and the criminal justice system and I urge anyone with information in relation to this incident to contact the PSNI.

Departmental Consultants

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultancy contracts his Department issued in each year since 2005; what the  (a) value,  (b) purpose and  (c) contractor was in each case; and whether the consultant's report is publicly available in each case.

Shaun Woodward: The information relating to the consultancy contracts in the Northern Ireland Office (excluding agencies and NDPBs) since 2005 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Purpose  Contractor  Value (£)  Report available 
			 2005-06 Evaluation of Radiolink Deloitte and Touche 27,139 Yes 
			  Evaluation of Racial Harassment Support and Advocacy Project MMMA Consultancy 9,990 No 
			  Evaluation of Good Morning Projects NIACRO 10,762 Yes 
			  Technical Assurance PA Consulting 72,800 No 
			  Consultancy Testing Deloitte and Touche 25,000 No 
			  Causeway Network Health Check Securetest 28,225 No 
			  Causeway Contract Management DLA 3,080 No 
			  Evaluation of Fermanagh and Tyrone Pilot Project John Jackson 3,300 No 
			  IT and Management Deloitte and Touche 367,041 No 
			  Assistance in developing PPS Policy Document Monica McWilliams 1,250 No 
			  Legal Assistance Ivor Morrison 91,953 No 
			  Quality Assurance Review for the implementation of part V of the Police Act 1997 in Northern Ireland Daniell Consulting Ltd. 2,148 No 
			  IT Flax Project Tim Lewis 234,000 No 
			  ITIL HP 38,000 No 
			  IT Services Parasol 150,000 No 
			  Review of Gardens and Grounds Maintenance at Hillsborough Castle TTC International 11,486 No 
			  Provision of a new IT system for the State Pathologist's Department Fluent Technology 125,782 No 
			  Status Review of the State Pathologist's Department Deloitte MCS Ltd 11,850 No 
			  Advice on quality assuring design requirements for New Mortuary Project P. Venners 5,084 No 
			  Staffing Review of the State Pathologist's Department Laboratory Business Development Service 15,600 No 
			  Advice on new consultant contracts Dr. Gaston 1,531 No 
			  
			 2006-07 Research into Neighbourhood Watch schemes in Northern Ireland Social and Market Research 9,782 Yes 
			  Evaluation of the Implementation of ASBOs DTZ 30,000 Not Yet Complete 
			  Review of Extern and NIACRO ASM Howarth 38,810 No 
			  Review of the Public Prosecution Service Case Management System PA Consulting 9,061 No 
			  Accounting Services Deloitte and Touche 19,775 No 
			  Security Services Raymond Wilson 7,000 No 
			  Corporate Services Bill-Hamilton Sturdy 52,493 No 
			  Review of OCTF Media Strategy SC Dodds Communications 6,000 No 
			  Quality Assurance for the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland Jim Daniell 35,758 Yes 
			  Production of Business Case for the New Mortuary Project Napier-Watson Consulting Ltd. 8,828 No 
			  Advice to Northern Ireland Law Commission Project Board Michael Sayers 2,530 No 
			  
			 2007-08 Provision of a Causeway Testing Manager Deloitte and Touche 39,163 No 
			  Causeway Programme Health Check OGC 26,000 No 
			  Provision of a Data Migration Test Manager.(to 2008-09) Neueda 115,000 No 
			  OCTF DVD Mark Jervis Broadcast and Corporate Television 5,000 No 
			  OCTF media advertising campaign Genesis Advertising 40,000 No 
			  Programme Management Support Parity 5,250 No 
			  Accounting Services Helm Corporation 57,187 No 
			  Quality Assurance for the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland Jim Daniell 35,758 Yes 
			  Management Services Cornwall Management 13,608 No 
			  IT Development JSE Consultancy 29,000 No 
			  PFD PricewaterhouseCoopers 40,000 No 
		
	
	Please note that only reports relating to consultancy contracts that are of public interest are made publicly available.

Departmental Information Officers

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many  (a) press and  (b) communications officers his Department employed in each of the last 10 years.

Shaun Woodward: Information on employees is only held for five years. The number of press officers working in the Northern Ireland Office for each of the five years is detailed in the following table. There are no communications officers in the Department.
	
		
			   Number 
			 2002-03 15 
			 2003-04 11 
			 2004-05 14 
			 2005-06 12 
			 2006-07 11

Departmental Information Officers

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department paid in bonuses to press and communication officers in each of the last 10 years; and what the  (a) highest and  (b) lowest such bonus was in each of those years.

Shaun Woodward: This information is held electronically for the previous two years and details are set out in the following table. Prior years would have to be obtained through a manual exercise and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  £ 
			   2005-06  2006-07 
			 Total 14,150 15,240 
			 Highest 9,000 9,000 
			 Lowest 75 50 
		
	
	These are non-consolidated, non-pensionable, bonuses awarded for exceptional performance and additional workload.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan: Detainees

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 27 November 2007,  Official Report, column 340W, on Afghanistan: detainees, how many detainees have been transferred from UK forces to the Afghan authorities under the terms of the bilateral memorandum of understanding on the transfer of detainees.

David Miliband: Information available to 29 January shows that a total of 74 detainees have been transferred from UK forces to the Afghan authorities under the terms of the bilateral memorandum of understanding on the transfer of detainees. Of those, 13 remain in Afghan custody.

Afghanistan: Detainees

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 27 November 2007,  Official Report, column 340W, on Afghanistan: detainees, whether the UK's bilateral memorandum of understanding on the transfer of detainees with the Afghan authorities contains provisions for the monitoring of the human rights condition of detainees after transfer; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the human rights situations in prisons used to house detainees transferred to the Afghan authorities by UK forces in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The UK's bilateral memorandum of understanding on the transfer of detainees to the Afghan authorities does contain provisions about respecting the human rights of detainees.
	The Afghan government has shown that it is fully aware of its obligations and takes its human rights responsibilities seriously. The arrangements for access to detainees by our officials and by human rights organisations to monitor their treatment were restated in an exchange of letters between the Afghan government and the governments of Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, the UK and the United States in 2007.
	We have a constructive relationship with the Afghan government on detention issues and are working closely with them on a number of projects to improve facilities and governance.

Afghanistan: Diplomatic Service

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK staff are serving in diplomatic posts in  (a) Afghanistan and  (b) Iraq; and what plans there are for UK staff numbers in those posts in each of the next three years.

David Miliband: Our embassies and other diplomatic posts in both Afghanistan and Iraq are staffed by officials from a range of Government Departments, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for International Development, the Ministry of Defence and (in Afghanistan) the Afghanistan Drugs Inter-Departmental Unit.
	In Afghanistan, there are over 100 UK-based civilian officials in our embassy in Kabul and over 30 UK-based civilian officials in the southern provinces of Helmand and Kandahar. Their roles include work in governance, reconstruction and development, and counter narcotics. We plan to increase over the coming period staff numbers to further strengthen our efforts in Afghanistan: the precise details remain to be determined.
	Over 50 UK-based civilian officials work in our embassy in Baghdad and our embassy offices in Basra and Erbil. They are there to support the democratically elected Government of Iraq in their efforts to achieve reconciliation, democracy, good governance, economic prosperity and security. We do not expect staff numbers to change significantly over the next three years.

Afghanistan: Prisons

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has received representations from  (a) human rights organisations and  (b) International Security Assistance Force coalition partners about the human rights conditions in Afghan prisons; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: We maintain an ongoing dialogue with human rights organisations and International Security Assistance Force partners on a range of detention-related matters, including human rights issues. British officials have also met human rights organisations to discuss reports on specific detention-related issues. We have a constructive relationship with the Afghan government on these issues, and are working closely with them on a number of projects to improve facilities and governance.

British Council

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which British Council offices and facilities were closed  (a) permanently and  (b) temporarily (i) as a result of pressure from foreign governments and (ii) in other circumstances in each of the last two years.

Jim Murphy: No British Council offices were permanently closed as a result of pressure from foreign governments within the last two years. Operations have been suspended in St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg since 17 January 2008 in the light of pressures from the Russian government.
	As part of its global strategy and re-allocation of resources into priority regions, the British Council permanently closed three country offices and 29 facilities in 2006 and 16 facilities in 2007. There were no country closures in 2007.
	The British Council offices temporarily closed in Gaza City (March to May 2006) and Beirut (July to September 2006) because of security concerns.

Children: Protection

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to sign the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: The Government intend to sign the Convention before June 2008.
	The Convention is a significant instrument, which contains a number of provisions that will help improve child protection. The UK's signature will be a signal of our continued commitment to this important area of protection.

Departmental Sustainable Development

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department is on course to meet the commitment in the Sustainable Operations on the Government Estate targets to  (a) source at least 10 per cent. of its electricity from renewables by 31 March 2008 and  (b) increase recycling figures to 40 per cent. of waste by 2010.

Meg Munn: Sustainable Operations on the Government Estate targets apply to the central Government estate in the UK. In financial year 2005-06 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office sourced 39 per cent. of its electricity from renewables and recycled 32.7 per cent. of its waste on its UK estate.
	The Sustainable Development Commission is expected to publish in mid-March its assessment of Government Departments' performance in 2006-07.

Departmental Sustainable Development

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has adopted the Carbon Trust's Carbon Management Programme.

Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office started implementing a Carbon Management Programme, developed with the Carbon Trust, in 2007 on its UK estate.

Departmental Sustainable Development

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department met the target in the sustainable operations on the Government Estate to reverse the then upward trend in carbon emissions by April 2007.

Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office did not meet the target to reverse the upward trend in carbon emissions on its UK estate by April 2007.
	Since 2007 we have been implementing a carbon management programme, developed with the Carbon Trust, to achieve the Government's sustainable operations targets on carbon emissions.

Departmental Sustainable Development

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department is working towards an accredited certified environmental management system for  (a) its whole estate and  (b) some of its buildings.

Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's environmental management system is accredited to the International Organisation for Standardisation 14001, and covers 91 per cent. of its staff on our three major sites. We keep under review whether we can effectively and efficiently extend coverage to our other relatively small sites.

EC Reform: Treaties

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the likely annual cost to the UK of the external action service as proposed in the Lisbon Treaty.

Jim Murphy: holding answer 1 February 2008
	The Lisbon Treaty provides for a European External Action Service (EEAS) which will bring together staff currently working on external issues in the European Council Secretariat and the European Commission, along with secondees from EU member states. The EEAS will be launched only after the Treaty comes into force.
	There have not yet been any discussions on the detailed organisation and functioning of the EEAS.

Entry Clearances

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what checks his Department plans to make on companies and organisations tendering for contracts to administer visa application checks; how it will monitor the performance of those awarded such contracts; and what estimate he has made of the likely annual cost to his Department of such monitoring.

Jim Murphy: The commercial partnership contract to provide visa application services was signed on 27 February 2007 with CSC and VFS Global. Procurement was conducted in accordance with EU rules and under the Official Journal of the European Union procedure. Prospective bidders were required to provide evidence of their financial standing. UKvisas also conducted due diligence on all three short-listed companies and both successful companies have signed parent company guarantees. Performance is monitored through a regional and central governance structure and this includes performance against a number of agreed critical service performance levels/criteria, which can attract financial recompense to UKvisas if not met. In respect of the cost of monitoring, the information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Entry Clearances: Costs

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total cost to the public purse of processing visa application checks at embassies and consulates was in the last financial year; and what estimate he has made of the equivalent annual cost arising in those countries where processing such checks has been outsourced.

Jim Murphy: UKvisas is funded by income generated from the charging of visa fees agreed by Parliament through the Consular Fees Order. The cost of processing visa application checks at our embassies and consulates in the financial year 2006-07 was wholly met by visa fee income. The estimate of the full cost of the commercial partnership contract for outsourced visa application services in the financial year 2007-08 is £53.366 million. This cost is incorporated into visa fees which are applied globally.

European Commission: Finance

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the annual UK contribution was towards maintaining, staffing and operating the representative offices of the European Commission in  (a) EU capitals,  (b) non-EU capitals and  (c) other locations in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Murphy: holding answer 1 February 2008
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold information on the UK contribution towards maintaining, staffing and operating the representative offices of the European Commission over the past 10 years.

European Commission: Overseas Residence

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British nationals worked in representative offices of the European Commission in  (a) EU capitals,  (b) non-EU capitals and  (c) other locations in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Murphy: holding answer 1 February 2008
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold this information.
	Statistical information on staff at the European Commission can be found on the Commission's statistical bulletin at:
	http://ec.europa.eu/civil_service/about/figures/index_en.htm

Intimidation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many cases of bullying have been reported in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies in each of the last 12 months.

Meg Munn: In the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), two cases involving bullying were raised as internal grievances. One was partially upheld and one not upheld. One member of staff received a disciplinary penalty for bullying.
	In FCO Services, an Executive agency of the FCO, there were three allegations in 2007: one was withdrawn; one was upheld and disciplinary action taken against the perpetrator; and one which is still under investigation.

Iran: Oppression

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Iranian Government on its practice of holding peaceful dissenters in detention without trial under national security legislation; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We are very concerned by the growing clampdown on dissent in Iran, including through the use of national security legislation.
	In the last year, a large number of human rights defenders have been accused of
	"acting against national security".
	This has included trade unionists, such as Mansour Ossanlou and Mahmud Salehi, peaceful protesters including teachers protesting for a living wage, a large number of women arrested in spring/summer 2007 for protesting in favour of equal rights, and other human rights activists such as Emaddedin Baghi, an anti-death penalty campaigner.
	Others have been sentenced for related offences such a
	"propaganda against the system"
	—most recently, a group of 54 Baha'is, but also a number of students arrested in July 2007 in connection with an article in a student magazine.
	We have raised all of these cases through the EU, highlighting the fact that individuals have essentially been sentenced for non-violent protest, and calling on the Iranian Government to support the right to freedom of expression, as it is committed to under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
	The UN General Assembly passed a resolution about the human rights situation in Iran in December last year, expressing very serious concern about
	"ongoing, systemic and serious restrictions of freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and freedom of opinion and expression ... and increasing harassment, intimidation and persecution of political opponents and human rights defenders from all sectors of Iranian society".

Iran: Prisoners

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will raise with the Iranian government the cases of Miss Haleh Roohi, Mr. Sasan Taqva and Miss Raha Sabet who have recently been imprisoned in Iran; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We regularly raise our concerns about the treatment of Baha' with the Iranian authorities, both bilaterally and through the EU.
	The EU presidency has already raised the case of these three individuals in a meeting with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 22 January. In this meeting, the EU drew attention to the worsening situation of ethnic and religious minorities in Iran, especially the Baha'i community, and expressed opposition to all forms of discrimination, in particular regarding the freedom of religion. The EU called for the immediate release of the three individuals and the abandoning of all proceedings against the rest of the group of Baha'is . We will monitor this case closely and will continue to raise it with the Iranian government.
	The Government continues to press the Iranian authorities to take seriously their international human rights obligations, uphold the right to freedom of religion and belief, as described in Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and address the discrimination suffered by Iranian Baha'is.

Iran: Religious Freedom

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise the issue of freedom of religious conscience in Iran with his counterpart in the Iranian government; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We continue to be very concerned by the treatment of religious minorities in Iranin particular the Bah' and Christian communities and converts from Islam. We have made clear to the Iranian authorities on many occasions that we believe persecution of individuals on the grounds of their ethnicity or religious beliefs is unacceptable.
	The UN General Assembly passed a resolution about the human rights situation in Iran in December last year, expressing very serious concern about increasing discrimination against religious and other minorities in Iran, including Christians, Jews, Sufis, Sunni Muslims and Bah'. The UK, through the EU, co-sponsored this resolution.
	We will continue to raise concerns about the treatment of religious minorities with the Iranian authorities through the EU and bilaterally, and press the Iranian authorities to take seriously their international human rights obligations and uphold the right to freedom of religion and belief as described in Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (to which Iran is a state party).

Iran: Religious Freedom

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the religious freedom of the minority Bha' community in Iran.

Kim Howells: We continue to be very concerned by the treatment of religious minorities in Iran, including Bah's.
	The Bah' faith is not recognised under the Iranian constitution and as a result Bah' routinely face discrimination and persecution. In recent years Bah' have been subject to arbitrary arrests, confiscation of property and restrictions on employment. Bah' students have not been able to access higher education unless they deny their faith or accept that it is incorrectly recorded on official university forms.
	The UN General Assembly passed a resolution about the human rights situation in Iran in December last year, expressing very serious concern about increasing discrimination against religious and other minorities in Iran, including in particular
	attacks on Bah's and their faith in state-sponsored media, increasing evidence of efforts by the state to identify and monitor Bah's and prevention of the Bah' faith from attending university and from sustaining themselves economically.
	The UK, through the EU, co-sponsored this resolution.

Israel: Occupied Territories

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations his Department has made to the Government of Israel about the denial of travel authorisation to Palestinian residents referred for medical treatment outside the Gaza Strip.

Kim Howells: According to the World Health Organisation, 216 patients crossed from Gaza to Israel/the West Bank for further treatment via the Erez crossing, which remained open for this purpose, between 18 and 28 January. The UK believes that there is an urgent and pressing need to overcome the obstacles to re-opening all of Gaza's crossings, for humanitarian goods, trade and people. We are concerned about the lack of access to proper medical care and the difficulty in leaving Gaza to receive treatment. The Quartet (US, EU, UN and Russia) has expressed serious concern over the continued closure of major crossing points. The UN is actively involved in trying to find a solution. The EU has called
	on all parties to work towards an opening of the crossings in and out of Gaza.
	On 17 January, I raised these concerns with the Israeli ambassador. Our embassy in Tel Aviv also continues to raise our concerns on a regular basis. On 21 January, my right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State for International Development voiced their concerns. In a joint statement, they stated:
	We do not support Israel's decision to close all crossings to Gaza.
	On 24 January, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary called Foreign Minister Livni and reiterated these concerns.

Israel: Occupied Territories

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip in halting rocket attacks on Israeli territory.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has made it clear in a joint statement with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development on 21 January that:
	Israeli security and justice for Palestinians will not be achieved by cutting off fuel or by firing rockets. Both sides have a responsibility to support the Peace Process launched at Annapolis. The situation on the ground is an important part of this. Palestinian security efforts and Israel's reopening of the Gaza crossings need to support each other and the drive for a long-term peace.

Kenya: Overseas Residence

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to help protect United Kingdom passport holders working as missionaries in Kenya.

Meg Munn: holding  answer 1 February 2008
	All British nationals in Kenya are covered by our high commission's civil contingency plans. In compiling civil contingency plans, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's objective is to protect British nationals in situations which pose a serious threat to their safety. The plan includes information on the number and location of British nationals in the country and the use of wardens' networks to communicate with them. To ensure we can effectively communicate any changes in travel advice and other relevant information, British nationals are urged to register with our high commission in Nairobi. They can do this online or by phoning the high commission direct on (00) (254) (20) 284 4000.

Kosovo: Peacekeeping Operations

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the legal basis for the deployment of the EU's civilian mission to Kosovo.

David Miliband: We are satisfied that the mission is established on a sound legal basis.
	The EU's European Security and Defence Policy rule of law mission to Kosovo will be based on the powers in the treaty on EU, drawing on the authority of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 as well as an invitation by the Kosovo government.

Kosovo: Peacekeeping Operations

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the final decision on the  (a) date and  (b) modalities of the EU mission for Kosovo will be made; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: We are working intensively with our international partners in the EU and UN to bring the Kosovo status process through to rapid completion.
	The political decision to deploy the EU's European Security and Defence Policy rule of law mission to Kosovo was taken at the European Council on 14 December 2007. The EU underlined that it stands ready to play a leading role in strengthening stability in the region and in implementing a settlement defining Kosovo's future status.

National Security

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role his Department has played in drafting the National Security Strategy; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is working closely with the Cabinet Office and other interested Departments and Agencies to produce the National Security Strategy.

Pakistan: Drugs

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what co-ordination the Government is undertaking with the governments of  (a) Pakistan and  (b) Iran on anti-narcotics policies.

Jim Murphy: The Government remain committed to engagement with the Governments of both Pakistan and Iran to tackle the flows of opiates from Afghanistan.
	The UK has supported the work of the Pakistan government to update its drugs strategy (Masterplan) and earmarked US $80,000 of its contribution to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for consultancy input to its development. The UK provides diplomatic and political support to the Pakistan government's counter-narcotics (CN) work, including through some 800,000 in the last three years to train officers of the Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) and to provide them with equipment. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, when he was the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced on 8 March 2006 that the UK had agreed to gift two helicopters to the ANF for CN work. Delivery is expected in the early spring of this year. The UK Serious Organised Crime Agency enjoys operational co-operation with its Pakistani partners on counter-narcotics issues.
	The UK has also contributed to the work of the UNODC in Iran. With the support of the Government of Iran, the UNODC has developed a strategy to build international support for tackling drugs demand and trafficking of opiates in Iran. The UK has contributed 500,000 to the UNODC in the last three years for this purpose with a particular focus on the provision of equipment and training of officers combating the trafficking of opiates on Iran's eastern border with Afghanistan. Additionally, we have supplied bilaterally some 30,000 of equipment for policing the eastern border.
	The Government further engages to support a number of multilateral fora in which the policies and operations of governments in this region are co-ordinated and developed. The Paris Pact, organised by the UNODC, brings together those donor and beneficiary nations which are committed to tackle the drugs flows from Afghanistan to Europe; a database organised by the UNODC collates and co-ordinates the contributions of the donor community and matches these with the identified needs of countries on the trafficking routes. The Afghan government's work on the Good Neighbourly Relations Declaration (GNRD) on CN, agreed in Berlin on 1 April 2004 and in which the UK acts in an observer role, brings together all immediately neighbouring nations and commits them to work with each other and with Afghanistan to develop CN work. The UK is supporting the Ministry of Counter Narcotics' plans to hold a further GNRD meeting this year.

Terrorism

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK citizens were  (a) injured and  (b) killed abroad as a result of terrorist activity in each of the last 10 years, broken down by country in which such incidents occurred.

Kim Howells: Our records show that the number of UK citizens injured and killed aboard as a consequence of terrorist activity in each of the last 10 years, broken down by the country in which the incidents occurred, is as follows:
	
		
			   Number of deaths  Number injured 
			 Afghanistan 1 0 
			 Russia 4 0 
			 Greece 1 0 
			 USA 67 0 
			 Indonesia 29 33 
			 Turkey 4 19 
			 Iraq 64 81 
			 Saudi Arabia 6 1 
			 Spain 0 5 
			 Egypt 11 7 
			 Qatar 1 0 
			 Israel 1 0 
			 Jordan 1 0 
			 Thailand 0 4 
			 Pakistan 0 1 
			 Maldives 0 2 
			 Bangladesh 0 1 
			 Sri Lanka 0 2 
		
	
	These figures are for both British and dual British nationals. They include British nationals working for private security firms killed or injured in Iraq or Afghanistan, but do not include British nationals who were killed or injured in the armed forces.
	To the best of our knowledge the figures provided are accurate. However, it is possible that we are unaware of some cases, especially injuries. Prior to 2001 we did not keep separate statistics for deaths and injury as a result of terrorist incidents.

Treaties: Ammunition

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the timetable is of the Oslo and UN Convention on Conventional Weapons organisations for the removal of all cluster munitions; and what progress is being made on such removal.

Kim Howells: Neither the Oslo Process or the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) have the aim of the removal of all cluster munitions. The Oslo Process aims to conclude by 2008 a legally binding instrument to prohibit the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians. Detailed consideration of a draft text of a treaty will begin at a meeting in Wellington (18-22 February). Negotiations will conclude in Dublin (19-30 May). A signing ceremony is expected to be held in Oslo in the autumn.
	At the CCW Meeting of State Parties in November 2007 a negotiating mandate on cluster munitions was agreed. Under this mandate a Group of Governmental Experts was tasked to negotiate a proposal to address the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions and report on progress to the next Meeting of State Parties in November 2008. Our aim, and that of our EU partners, is for the CCW to adopt a legally binding instrument by the end of 2008.
	The UK's active participation in both the CCW and Oslo Process demonstrates our continuing commitment to address the humanitarian concerns raised by cluster munitions.

Treaties: Nuclear Weapons

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives the Government plans to undertake to ensure the commencement of negotiations on a fissile material cut-off treaty at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.

Kim Howells: The UK considers a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty to be a top priority for multilateral disarmament and we will continue to push for the start of negotiations without pre-conditions at the Conference on Disarmament (CD). As the holder of one of the six CD presidencies in 2008 we will work with like minded countries to bring on board those states unable to agree to the start of negotiations in 2007. We will also continue to lobby these states directly.

UK Visas: Finance

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the budget of UK Visas was in 2006-07; and how these resources were allocated by main budget heading.

Kim Howells: UKvisas' total costs of 202 million in financial year 2006-07 were fully recovered from income generated from visa fees and allocated under the following budget headings:
	
		
			million 
			 Pay related expenditure 62.6 
			 Project expenditure 52.5 
			 Depreciation and capital charge 9.6 
			 Indirect costs (including management and support overheads) 76.9

UK Visas: Telephone Services

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for how long the UKvisas telephone service has been suspended.

Kim Howells: The UKvisas telephone inquiry line has been suspended since 10 September 2007.

UK Visas: Telephone Services

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether alternative provision has been made to assist visa applicants following the suspension of the UKvisas telephone service.

Kim Howells: The principle sources of information and advice for visa applicants, all of whom are overseas, are the central UKvisas website, posts' websites, and our commercial partners' websites and telephone inquiry lines. Some posts also have telephone inquiry services.
	In the UK we now provide an enhanced e-mail service that aims to reply to e-mails within one working day. Most of these queries are from sponsors and other interested parties in the UK rather than visa applicants, who are guided to their local post or commercial partner. UKvisas website now has more and improved links. Its recorded telephone message now has more information, including referring callers to Border and Immigration Agency telephone numbers when appropriate.

UK Visas: Telephone Services

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to reinstate the UKvisas telephone service.

Kim Howells: We are currently looking at the future for this service to callers from the UK and aim to conclude an internal review by the end of the financial year.

UN Resolutions: Frontiers

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the answer of 2 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1720W, on UN resolutions: frontiers, how many further notifications have been received by the UN Security Council Committee established pursuant to UN Resolution 1737 (2006) from states reporting the entry into or transit through their territories of designated persons.

David Miliband: The answer given to the right hon. Member by my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary (Margaret Beckett) on 2 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1719W, noted that two notifications had been received from member states of travel by individuals designated in the Annexes to UN Security Council Resolutions 1737 (2006) and 1747 (2007), in March 2007. No further notifications have been received by the UN Security Council Committee established pursuant to UN Resolution 1737 (2006) from states reporting the entry into or transit through their territories of designated persons.

Vasily Aleksanyan

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Russian government on the medical treatment of Vasily Aleksanyan; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: While there has been some improvement in recent years, conditions in Russian detention centres and treatment of prisoners continue to be below desirable standards, as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's 2006 Human Rights Annual report noted in some detail.
	In EU and bilateral human rights consultations with the Russian government, the UK regularly raises concerns about ongoing human rights violations, including individual cases. We note that Russian human rights ombudsman, Vladimir Lukin, has sent written representations to the Prosecutor-General's Office and the Federal Penal Service about the case.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Active Places Website

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many  (a) total hits and  (b) unique visitors the active places website had in each of the last three years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Sport England does not record the number of 'hits' on the active places website. Instead, it records only the number of visitors who actually use the tools and applications on the site. In each of the last three years these figures have been as follows:
	
		
			   Visitors 
			 2005 161,506 
			 2006 204,348 
			 2007 218,378

Arts

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to introduce free weeks for dance, music and theatrical performances at publicly-funded entertainment venues in England; what estimate he has made of the annual cost of free weeks; and how many venues he expects to participate.

Margaret Hodge: This is one of the recommendations in Sir Brian McMaster's report on Supporting Excellence in the Arts, published on 10 January 2008. My officials are now considering the report in detail and considering how it could be implemented. No conclusions have been reached on the cost of free weeks or which venues would participate.

Arts Council

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what consultation was held about the criteria being used by the Arts Council to make funding reductions to certain organisations; when a full list of the organisations that are to receive funding reductions will be released; and how many organisations  (a) serving rural communities and  (b) in Oxfordshire are to receive funding reductions.

Andy Burnham: The Arts Council operates at arm's length from the Government and decisions about which arts organisations to fund are entirely for them. Their fundamental criteria are set out in their Royal Charter
	to develop and improve the knowledge, understanding and practice of the arts [and] to increase accessibility of the arts to the public in England.
	In February 2007 the Arts Council created detailed guidance on how they would develop their investment strategy for 2008/9-2010/11. That guidance said that the Council would give particular priority to the following:
	achieving a portfolio of effective and thriving organisations;
	increasing engagement in the arts across the population;
	delivering greater arts activity and presence in our emerging priority places;
	delivering the recommendations of Turning Point, the Arts Council's strategic review of the visual arts sector.
	The Arts Council informed their regularly funded organisations of this in May 2007 and of their intention to provide the majority of organisations with at least an inflation increase in funding, and that this would be achieved by reducing the size of their portfolio of regularly funded organisations.
	The Arts Council did not hold any consultation about these criteria specifically. However, it held a public value inquiry, the Arts Debate, between October 2006 and September 2007. The inquiry considered how people think and feel about the arts in England and their priorities for public funding. The Arts Council are incorporating the results of the enquiry into their corporate planning.
	The Arts Council have said the following in response to requests to see the names of the organisations listed in their proposals:
	Our proposals for non-renewal of funding cannot be made available until our National and Regional Councils make final decisions. This information is considered confidential and commercially sensitive during the response period. This is especially so in the case of a recommendation that might be overturned by the National Council or a Regional Council. Regularly funded organisations who have a right to respond to our recommendation, should be able to do so freely without fear that our intention to reduce or stop their funding is potentially unnecessarily, and without their consent, released into the public domain. A full announcement will be made at the beginning of February.

Betting: Taxation

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many fixed-odds betting terminals there are in use; and how much tax revenue was generated by such machines in each of the last three tax years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Gambling Commission annual report 2006-07 reported that there were 24,500 fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) located in licensed betting offices in 2006. These are the latest available figures.
	FOBTs are now classified as category B2 gaming machines under the Gambling Act 2005. Casinos can offer B2 gaming machines, as part of their entitlement to a maximum of 20 category B gaming machines. We do not hold figures for the number of B2 gaming machines that casinos make available.
	Tax revenue generated by gaming machines is a matter for HM Treasury.

Broadcasting: Visually Impaired

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the merits of audio description on television programmes for people with a visual impairment; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: holding answer 31 January 2008
	The Communications Act sets minimum targets for audio description of programmes by broadcasters. However, it is the responsibility of Ofcom to ensure that these requirements are met
	Ofcom have responsibility for assessing audio description usage on television programmes. Guidance and best practice for broadcasters on providing access services, which include audio description, is set out in Ofcom's Code on Television Access Services.
	Ofcom's Television Access Services Review, published in 2006, stated that audio description was highly valued by those that had used it and had the potential to benefit many more people than those who currently used it. An Audio Description Awareness Campaign facilitated by Ofcom will be launched by television broadcasters and the RNIB on 1 February 2008 to encourage take up of this valuable service.

Broadcasting: Visually Impaired

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will ( a) take steps to ensure broadcasters are aware of the benefits of audio description to viewers with a visual impairment and  (b) encourage broadcasters to provide more audio-described programmes.

Andy Burnham: holding answer 31 January 2008
	The Communications Act sets minimum targets for audio description of programmes by broadcasters. However, it is the responsibility of Ofcom to ensure that these requirements are met.
	It is also Ofcom's duty to ensure broadcasters are taking effective steps to publicise awareness of their audio description services. In this regard, we welcome the Audio Description Awareness Campaign facilitated by Ofcom that will be launched by television broadcasters and the RNIB on 1 February 2008. During the six-week campaign, more than 70 television channels will broadcast promotions explaining how to find out more about this valuable service.
	Ofcom's most recent report on the provision of access services shows that most channels continue to exceed (in many cases substantially) their obligations to provide audio description.

Departmental Sustainable Development

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether his Department met the target in the sustainable operations on the government estate to reverse the then upward trend in carbon emissions by April 2007.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department has a detailed energy plan which identifies potential carbon savings of 562 tonnes by March 2009. We hope this will help us to be more successful in ensuring sustainability as we have not met the target set for April 2007.

Departmental Data Protection

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether personal data for which his Department is responsible is  (a) stored and  (b) processed overseas; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: My Department  (a) does not store or  (b) process any personal data overseas, nor does it have any plans to do so.

Departmental Data Protection

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what audits his Department and its agencies have carried out in relation to personal data and IT equipment in each of the last 10 years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: This information could not be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

Departmental Official Residences

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many ministerial residences were available to his Department's Ministers in each of the last 10 years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department has not had any ministerial residences in the last 10 years.

Digital Broadcasting: Television

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received on establishing a television channel to provide information on the digital switchover.

Andy Burnham: A proposal for a rolling television service was mentioned in the Ofcom Consumer Panel report, 'Going digital: supporting consumers through digital switchover', published December 2007, which my predecessor, the right hon. Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (James Purnell), received.

Digital Switchover Help Scheme: Visually Impaired

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will ensure that the experience of people with a visual impairment is taken fully into account in the preparations for digital switchover and that  (a) access to the necessary support and equipment and  (b) accessible information on services is provided and broadcasters are informed of steps they can take to improve programme accessibility.

Andy Burnham: holding answer 31 January 2008
	The Government and Digital UK have consulted the RNIB to understand any issues of concern to people with visual impairments and how best to communicate with them and help them through the switchover process. We will continue to do so as the switchover programme is rolled out.
	Blind or partially sighted people are one of the groups eligible for the Digital Switchover Help Scheme which provides help with equipment, installation and aftercare support. Audio Description (AD), an additional narration on TV programmes that describes on-screen action, is accessible through the equipment provided by the scheme. Help is free of charge to those on income support/pension credit. Others will pay a 40 charge.
	Guidance and best practice on how broadcasters can improve programme accessibility is given in Ofcom's Code on Television Access Services, which includes information on audio description.

English Heritage

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which English Heritage sites  (a) he and  (b) Ministers in his Department have visited since appointment; and on what dates.

Margaret Hodge: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State has not yet visited any English Heritage sites in the short time since he took office. On his second day as Culture Secretary, he visited the International Slavery Museum which is situated on Liverpool's Albert Dock, part of the Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City World Heritage Site. His predecessor, the right hon. Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (James Purnell) visited the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College, part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, on 31 October 2007 for the launch of Heritage Counts.
	I visited Castle Acre Priory on 8 July 2007 and Stonehenge on 6 September 2007. I have, of course, visited a number of sites in my personal capacity.
	My hon. Friend the Minister for Sport has not visited any properties owned or managed by English Heritage in his official capacity.

Football

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to help community football clubs develop facilities and membership in West Lancashire; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Since 2002, Sport England has awarded almost 70.2 million to the Football Foundation to support grassroots capital and revenue projects. This includes 11.7 million from the Community Club Development Programme (CCDP) which helps community sports clubs to develop their sports facilities. We do not hold details of CCDP awards made specifically in West Lancashire, however, in Lancashire, 1.6 million has been awarded to community football clubs.
	Over 4,500 community sports clubs are also benefiting from tax relief through the Community Amateur Sports Club initiative. This has saved sports clubs an estimated 22.8 million over the last five yearsallowing clubs to put money back into sport, including for sports facilities. In Lancashire, 97 sports clubs, including 12 football clubs, have benefited to date.

Gambling

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps have been taken to ensure that the gambling industry promotes responsible gambling in the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Gambling Act 2005 places the protection of children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling as one of the principal objectives of gambling regulation for the first time. The Act also establishes a powerful new regulator, the Gambling Commission, responsible for ensuring UK gambling operators are meeting the Government's licensing objectives.
	All gambling operators must comply with tough social responsibility measures or risk losing their licence. These measures include procedures to prevent under-age gambling, procedures for self-exclusion, information about how to access help in relation to problem gambling, and a commitment to contribute to research, education and treatment of problem gambling. However if there is evidence that the objectives of the Act are not being met, the Government have wide-ranging powers to introduce further regulations and restrictions.

Horserace Totaliser Board

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made towards the sale of the Tote; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 1 February 2008
	The Government received at the end of September 2007, and are considering, a final bid from a consortium of racing interests and the staff and management of the Tote itself. The Government will announce shortly how they intends to proceed.

Kent

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funds in the form of  (a) revenue payments,  (b) capital grants and  (c) supported borrowing for which his Department is responsible have been made available to (i) Kent county council, (ii) Thanet district council and (iii) Dover district council in 2007-08.

Gerry Sutcliffe: DCMS has not provided any revenue payments, capital grants or supported borrowing to Kent county council, Thanet district council or Dover district council in 2007-08.

Licensing

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many cumulative impact areas, as defined in guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003, there are in England and Wales, broken down by local authority area.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The data which the Department for Culture, Media and Sport holds on local authority cumulative impact areas were published in the Department's licensing statistical bulletin on 8 November 2007 and are set out in the following table. The data cover cumulative impact areas in force on 31 March 2007 and are based upon a response rate of 80 per cent. of licensing authorities.
	
		
			  Licensing authority  Cumulative impact areas 
			 Leeds 4 
			 Bexley 3 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 3 
			 Bristol 2 
			 Bromley 2 
			 Fareham 2 
			 Merton 2 
			 Pembrokeshire 2 
			 Portsmouth 2 
			 Richmond upon Thames 2 
			 Scarborough 2 
			 Trafford 2 
			 Warwick 2 
			 Aylesbury Vale 1 
			 Birmingham 1 
			 Blackpool 1 
			 Blaenau Gwent 1 
			 Bournemouth 1 
			 Bridgend 1 
			 Cardiff 1 
			 Colchester 1 
			 Croydon 1 
			 Dudley 1 
			 Ealing 1 
			 Easington 1 
			 East Hampshire 1 
			 East Staffordshire 1 
			 Eastbourne 1 
			 Hackney 1 
			 Hartlepool 1 
			 Herefordshire 1 
			 Hinckley and Bosworth 1 
			 Isles of Scilly 1 
			 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 1 
			 Lancaster 1 
			 Leicester 1 
			 Lichfield 1 
			 Lincoln 1 
			 Middlesbrough 1 
			 Newcastle-under-Lyme 1 
			 Nottingham 1 
			 Oadby and Wigston 1 
			 Oxford 1 
			 Preston 1 
			 Restormel 1 
			 Shrewsbury and Atcham 1 
			 South Tyneside 1 
			 Southend-on-Sea 1 
			 Torbay 1 
			 Wakefield 1 
			 Watford 1 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 1 
			 Worthing 1 
			 York 1 
			  Note:  The number of. Cumulative Impact Areas published on 8 November 2007 for two licensing authorities were incorrect: Melton Licensing Authority had recorded the wrong number of cumulative impact areas as six; it has been amended to zero in the revised statistical bulletin published on 15 January 2008; Warwick's number of cumulative impact areas was incorrectly inputted as four; this has been corrected to two in the revised statistical bulletin published on 15 January 2008.

Members: Correspondence

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2007,  Official Report, column 110W, on Members: correspondence, when he expect to reply substantively to the letter of 16 August 2007 from the hon. Member for West Chelmsford concerning his constituent Mr. C. Metcalf.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 1 February 2008
	I met with key representatives of Ice Hockey on 30th January. Following these discussions, I will be sending a substantive reply in the next week, to the hon. Member for West Chelmsford concerning his constituent Mr. C. Metcalf.

Museums and Galleries

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proposals he has to invite members of the public to sit on the boards of publicly-funded museums, galleries and other arts organisations; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: Building on the recommendations of the McMaster Review, the Secretary of State and I will work with our non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) to ensure that boards have the right skills and experience to encourage excellence, innovation, and wider and deeper engagement with the sectors they represent.
	We will work with our NDPBs, in particular the Arts Council and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, to consider the role of artists, practitioners, and members of the public on the boards of our cultural organisations.

Planning Permission: Playing Fields

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate his Department has made of the change in the number of playing fields of an area of less than 0.4 hectares in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 1 February 2008
	Information on the change in the number of playing fields of less than 0.4 hectares is not collected centrally. However, the Department for Communities and Local Government has committed to consulting this year on reducing from 0.4 hectares to 0.2 hectares the threshold at which Sport England must be consulted when a planning application for development is submitted.

Portable Antiquities Scheme

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many representations his Department has received from  (a) hon. Members,  (b) members of the public and  (c) others on the portable antiquities scheme since 1 December 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: Between 1 December 2007 and 30 January 2008, this Department received  (a) 130 representations from hon. Members and  (b) 98 representations from members of the public on the subject of the portable antiquities scheme.
	For the purposes of the Department's correspondence statistics we do not differentiate between letters from the public and letters from organisations.

Portable Antiquities Scheme

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures are in place in relation to the Portable Antiquities Scheme to provide the advice on recording finds previously supplied by schemes funds advisers; whether those posts were abolished due to cost-saving measures; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) is administered by the British Museum (BM) on behalf of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). Any decisions about the delivery of the scheme are, therefore, a matter for these organisations. The total number of staff employed by the PAS in financial year 2007-08 increased by four. It is the intention of both the MLA and the BM to maintain a national scheme in 2008-09 and beyond.

Publishing

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what consideration he has given to Ofcom's proposal to establish a public service publisher.

Andy Burnham: The Government welcome the work Ofcom has done to develop the idea of a public service publisher and notes that it proposes to consider the issue further as part of its current review of public service broadcasting. Ofcom's conclusions in this area will be a key input to our review of the future funding of public service broadcasting. The Government's Convergence Think Tank will also be considering ways in which universal access to high quality content can be sustained.

Sport

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made towards his Department's public service agreement target to increase the take-up of cultural and sporting opportunities by adults and young people aged 16 and above from priority groups; and what steps he has taken to ensure this target is met.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 28 January 2008
	The DCMS 'Taking Part' survey is being used to measure progress against this public service agreement.
	The most recent results were published in December 2007 and are in the following tables. They provide a comparison between the baseline figures and the second year results of the survey.
	We are working closely with the cultural sector's strategic delivery bodiesArts Council England, English Heritage and the Museums Libraries and Archives Councilto ensure that we maximise our impact on increasing participation rates.
	These bodies deliver through a range of programmes and initiatives with cultural organisations at regional and local level. This includes:
	investment in programmes such as Renaissance in the Regions, which has seen visits to local museums and galleries by people from the PSA3 priority groups up by over 30 per cent. since 2002-03;
	free admission to formerly charging sponsored museums in Englandwhere attendance has gone up by 98 per cent. since 2001;
	record investment in Arts Council England's regularly funded organisations of 326 million this year; and
	Heritage Open Days, which receives its core funding from English Heritage, where 850,000 people visited some of 3,500 buildings last year, making it England's largest voluntary cultural event.
	Sport England have been working to increase the number of participants in sport through a range of interventions across sports organisations at a regional and local level, including national governing bodies, county sports partnerships, community sports networks, sports clubs and others. Since 1997-98, over 4 billion has been invested through Government and the Lottery on sport in England.
	Participation will be an integral part of Sport England's new strategy to build a world-class community sport infrastructure.
	 Historic environment
	The historic environment indicator is defined as at least one attendance at a designated site during the past 12 months.
	
		
			  Percentage 
			   Year 1  Year 2 
			 Black and minority ethnic 50.7 48.3 
			 Limiting disability 59.5 60.2 
			 Lower socio-economic 57.1 57.3 
			 All adults 69.9 69.3 
		
	
	 Museums and galleries
	The museums and galleries indicator is defined as at least one attendance at a museum or gallery during the past 12 months.
	
		
			  Percentage 
			   Year 1  Year 2 
			 Black and minority ethnic 35.5 33.6 
			 Limiting disability 32.1 31.1 
			 Lower socio-economic 28.3 28.2 
			 All adults 42.3 41.5 
		
	
	 Arts attendance
	The arts attendance indicator is defined as attendance at two or more different types of arts events during the past 12 months.
	
		
			  Percentage 
			   Year 1  Year 2 
			 Black and minority ethnic 23.5 22.8 
			 Limiting disability 24.1 24.2 
			 Lower socio-economic 17.4 17.4 
			 All adults 33.7 33.0 
		
	
	 Arts participation
	The arts participation indicator is defined as participation in two or more different types of arts activities during the past 12 months.
	
		
			  Percentage 
			   Year 1  Year 2 
			 Black and minority ethnic 20.8 20.1 
			 Limiting disability 18.9 19.8 
			 Lower socio-economic 15.3 14.3 
			 All adults 24.1 22.8 
		
	
	 Moderate level intensity sport
	The moderate level intensity sport indicator is defined as participation in moderate intensity level sport for at least 30 minutes on three separate days during the past week.
	
		
			  Percentage 
			   Year 1  Year 2 
			 Black and minority ethnic 19.2 19.6 
			 Limiting disability 9.5 9.4 
			 Lower socio-economic 15.2 15.3 
			 Women 18.5 18.3 
			 All adults 20.9 21.5 
		
	
	 Active sport
	The active sport indicator is defined as at least one occasion of participation in an active sport during the past four weeks.
	
		
			  Percentage 
			   Year 1  Year 2 
			 Black and minority ethnic 53.3 51.9 
			 Limiting disability 32.3 31.2 
			 Lower socio-economic 43.4 42.2 
			 Women 47.7 46.2 
			 All adults 53.7 53.4

Sports: Greyhounds

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 17 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1402W, to the hon. Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin) on sports: greyhounds, whether he plans to exempt greyhound tracks from regulatory requirements under the Gambling Act 2005; and what deregulation is planned arising from the objective for the industry to be self-regulated.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 30 January 2008
	The Gambling Act has included a number of deregulatory measures to assist the greyhound industry, including ending the five times entry rule for on-course bookmakers and lifting the ban on off-course pool betting. We do not anticipate any significant further gambling deregulation of greyhound tracks arising from Lord Donoughue's recommendations.

Television: Licensing

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what powers his Department has to ensure that TV Licensing carries out its duties to detect those not paying a television licence fee in a proportionate and equitable manner.

Andy Burnham: Under the BBC's Royal Charter, it is the responsibility of the BBC Trust to ensure that arrangements for the collection of the licence fee are efficient, appropriate and proportionate. There is no provision for Government to intervene in such matters.

Tourism

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the provisional 2006 productivity data for the tourism and leisure industry, referred to in his Department's Autumn Performance Report 2007.

Margaret Hodge: Productivity data for the tourism and leisure industry is estimated from the Annual Business Inquiry (ABI), run by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). As referred to in the DCMS Autumn Performance Report 2007, the provisional ABI data for 2006 were released by the ONS in December 2007.
	An update of the tourism and leisure industry productivity target to incorporate this data will be published in the Department's Annual Reportscheduled for release by 19 May 2008.
	As in previous years, the Autumn Performance Report will include the final 2006 productivity data following the release of the validated ABI results in June 2008.

VisitBritain: Advertising

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what VisitBritain's overseas advertising budget was in each year since 1997.

Margaret Hodge: VisitBritain's annual budgets for overseas marketing work were as follows (in  million, and including VisitBritain's predecessor bodiesthe British Tourist Authority and the English Tourism Councilup to 2002-03):
	
		
			   million 
			   Total  Overseas budget  Domestic budget 
			 1997-98 44.7 35.0 9.7 
			 1998-99 45.7 35.0 10.7 
			 1999-2000 47.8 36.0 11.8 
			 2000-01 48.0 37.0 11.0 
			 2001-02 45.1 35.5 9.6 
			 2002-03 47.1 35.5 11.6 
			 2003-04 47.9 35.5 12.4 
			 2004-05 48.4 35.5 12.9 
			 2005-06 48.9 35.5 13.4 
			 2006-07 49.9 35.5 14.4 
			 2007-08 49.9 35.5 14.4 
		
	
	An additional 19 million in Government funding was made available for VisitBritain's Million Visitor overseas marketing campaign in 2001-02, to support the industry following the foot and mouth disease outbreak of 2001-02, and the events of 9/11.

VisitBritain: Finance

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding will be allocated to VisitBritain to encourage tourism associated with the 2012 London Olympic Games  (a) in the UK and  (b) overseas in each year to 2012.

Margaret Hodge: DCMS and VisitBritain are working to maximise the impact of public funding for 2012-related tourism work. VisitBritain is currently leading a Strategic Review to examine how we can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the expenditure of 350 million invested by public bodies to support tourism. DCMS and VisitBritain are considering the best mechanisms for using funding at all levels to promote the UK at home and in overseas markets, between now and the 2012 games. This includes the best use of VisitBritain's funding allocation from DCMS.
	The review follows the publication of the DCMS-led Tourism Strategy for 2012 last September, and includes full consultation with devolved, regional, and local government, and the tourism industry.

TRANSPORT

A1

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when she expects to make a decision on the inspector's report on the Dishforth to Barton A1 motorway scheme; and when she expects the construction to start.

Tom Harris: We are considering a number of issues on this scheme including the inspector's report, the scheme cost and delivery timetable. We are working through these issues as quickly as possible and expect to be in a position to announce the way forward for this scheme by spring 2008. Subject to the scheme orders being confirmed and the availability of funding, the earliest date for start of works on site would be autumn 2008.

Airports: Finance

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent research her Department has commissioned on the economic consequences of building new  (a) airports and  (b) runways.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The economic appraisal of options for additional UK airport capacity, including both a new airport and new runways at existing airports, supporting the 2003 'Future of Air Transport' White Paper was reported in 'Passenger ForecastsAdditional Analysis'. This is available at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/strategy/whitepapers/air/docs/passengerforecastsadditional5673
	Updated economic appraisal of options supported in the White Paper was reported in 'UK Air Passenger Demand and CO2 Forecasts'. This is available at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/environmentalissues/ukairdemandandco2forecasts/
	The Department for Transport also jointly commissioned the 2006 Oxford Economic Forecasting report 'The Economic Contribution of the Aviation Industry in the UK', available at:
	http://www.oef.com/Free/pdfs/Aviation2006Final.pdf

Aviation: EU Emissions Trading Scheme

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the effects of the proposed EU emissions trading scheme on regional airlines providing services to remote communities; and what steps she plans to take to prevent the scheme undermining the viability of such services.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The impact on regional airlines has been assessed as part of the UK's policy development on this issue. The UK recognises the importance of air services to remote communities and therefore welcomes the recently agreed Council text which would exempt all flights operating under a public service obligation with an annual capacity threshold of less than 30,000 seats.

Aviation: Exhaust Emissions

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what average carbon emissions were per UK air passenger in each year since 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The following table provides estimates of aviation carbon dioxide emissions per passenger for all domestic and international air passengers flying from UK airports in each year from 1997 to 2005.
	
		
			  Estimate  of average CO 2  emissions per passenger flying from UK airports, 1997 to 2005 
			   Domestic aviation  International aviation 
			   Carbon dioxide (Million tonnes)  Departing passengers (Million)  CO 2  per passenger (Tonnes)  Carbon dioxide (Million tonnes)  Departing passengers (Million)  CO 2  per passenger (Tonnes) 
			 1997 1.49 16.0 0.1 22.70 57.4 0.4 
			 1998 1.62 16.7 0.1 25.26 62.7 0.4 
			 1999 1.80 17.5 0.1 27.45 66.7 0.4 
			 2000 1.96 18.6 0.1 30.25 71.4 0.4 
			 2001 2.06 19.2 0.1 29.49 71.5 0.4 
			 2002 2.07 21.0 0.1 28.94 73.4 0.4 
			 2003 2.11 22.9 0.1 29.64 77.1 0.4 
			 2004 2.30 24.2 0.1 33.13 83.6 0.4 
			 2005 2.46 25.1 0.1 35.01 89.0 0.4 
			  Notes: 1. The emissions figures in the table are in the common format of 'weight of carbon dioxide'; to convert to 'weight of carbon' figures should be multiplied by a factor of 12/44. 2. Domestic aviation includes all departures from UK airports flying to another UK airport. International aviation includes all departures from a UK airport flying to a destination outside of the UK. These will carry both UK and foreign passengers. 3. The aviation CO2 emissions capture only those from the first leg of a flight (e.g. emissions for a passenger flying from London to Australia via Singapore will only reflect London to Singapore). 4. The aviation CO2 emissions are only those from departing aircraft (excluding military aircraft) and therefore the figures in the table do not reflect emissions from surface access nor emissions from airport buildings. Emissions from freighter aircraft have been allocated to passengers in these illustrative figures. 5. The CO2 emissions do not account for non-CO2 climate change effects of aviation emissions.  Sources: Carbon dioxide emissions, table 5 of DEFRA's Statistical Release UK Emissions of Greenhouse Gases. Passengers - Civil Aviation Authority statistics. 
		
	
	The average CO2 per passenger figures in the aforementioned table have been calculated by dividing total CO2 emissions from departing flights by the number of departing passengers. They do not therefore reflect a weighted average of emissions to account for the relative number of flights flying different trip lengths. The level of emissions per passenger will be affected by such factors as load factors, type of aircraft used, fuel efficiency changes, etc.

Aviation: Pakistan

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment she has made of the safety of UK-based aircraft crews flying into Islamabad.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government responsibility for the safety of UK citizens travelling overseas is discharged through the provision of travel advice by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The safety and security of air crews while in any location around the world is a matter for the airlines, as their employer.
	The Department for Transport requires UK airlines operating overseas to put appropriate security measures in place to protect their aircraft operation at each location to which they fly. These arrangements, including those in Pakistan, are regularly assessed.

Cycling: Accidents

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many traffic accidents there were involving cyclists in each constituency in England in each of the last five years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: A table showing the number of reported personal injury road accidents involving at least one pedal cyclist for each parliamentary constituency in England for 2002 to 2006 has been deposited in the Libraries of the House.

Driving Tests

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to her statement of 17 December 2007,  Official Report, column 624, on Department for Transport data storage, whether the data on the hard disc drive mislaid by Pearson Driving Assessments had been processed.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The data held on the hard disc drive had been processed.

Driving: Licensing

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether plans are in place to change the regulations for the renewal of driving licences for people aged over 70 years; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: There are currently no plans to change the regulations for the renewal of driving licences for drivers aged 70 and over.

Eurostar

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many journeys were taken on Eurostar by staff of her Department in each of the last three years, broken down by  (a) business premier,  (b) standard,  (c) leisure select and  (d) other ticket types.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost as the financial systems used by the Department for Transport to record rail travel do not differentiate Eurostar travel.

Eurostar North Pole Depot: Greater London

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding from the public purse has been provided for the former Eurostar North Pole depot in West London.

Tom Harris: The asset transferred from Eurostar (UK) Ltd. to BRB (Residuary) Ltd. on 31 January, under the arrangements for providing Eurostar (UK) Ltd. with a new depot at Temple Mills. This transfer involved no costs to the public purse. BRB (Residuary) Ltd. is now responsible for managing all the costs and benefits of North Pole depot.

Heathrow Airport

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if she will publish the research informing the assumptions made on the fleet mix expected to be using Heathrow in 2020 in  (a) the Project for the Sustainable Development of Heathrow study,  (b) the consultation document Adding Capacity at Heathrow and  (c) in the work done to prepare for 2003 White Paper on the Future of Air Transport;
	(2)  in what respect the assumptions made on the fleet mix expected to be using Heathrow in 2020 used in the Project for the Sustainable Development of Heathrow Study differ from those used in the work done to prepare for the 2003 White Paper on the Future of Air Transport.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The basis of air traffic forecasts and fleet mix assumptions for both  (a) and  (b) is explained in annex C of the consultation document Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport. The fleet profile for modelling purposes was based on BAA's fleet mix assumptions, informed by historic trends on fleet replacement and discussions with major airlines about likely future trends. The predicted fleet profile in future years is illustrated in the supporting technical reportsfor example, the Emission Summaries and Emissions Methodology reports, and chapter 2 and table 2.3 in the Revised Future Aircraft Noise Exposure Estimates report by the Civil Aviation Authority. All these documents are available via the Department's website:
	www.dft.gov.uk/heathrowconsultation
	Fleet mix assumptions at the time of the White Paper are set out in the equivalent CAA report 0307 (December 2003).

Heathrow Airport: Public Participation

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when she expects households in wards in Putney who have not already done so to receive a copy of the consultation document, Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 31 January 2008
	The criterion applied in issuing copies of the Heathrow consultation summary and response form was: those living within the 57dBA contour; more specifically, those most directly affected by any development at the airport. On that basis, copies were sent to 217,346 households, of which 9,153 are in the hon. Member's constituency. If the hon. Member believes that households within her constituency meeting this criterion did not receive a copy of the summary and response form in the distribution, we will look into this and, if necessary, send out summary material to these households.
	In line with Cabinet Office guidance, the consultation document and supporting materials are freely available to anyone with an interest from the Department's website. Printed copies may also be obtained via our dedicated call centre.

M40: Accidents

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents involving  (a) serious injuries and  (b) fatalities took place on the M40 motorway between junctions 3 and 5 in each year since 2001 for which figures are available.

Tom Harris: The accident figures requested are as follows:
	
		
			  M40 Junctions 3-5 January 2001 to March 2007 (junctions included) 
			  Accidents 
			  Severity  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Fatal 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 
			 Serious 8 4 11 12 10 5 1 
			 Total 8 5 11 14 11 5 1 
		
	
	
		
			  M40 Junctions 3-5 January 2001 to March 2007 (excluding junctions) 
			  Accidents 
			  Severity  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Fatal 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 
			 Serious 8 4 10 12 8 5 1 
			 Total 8 5 10 14 9 5 1 
		
	
	2007 data only go up to March. No verified data are currently available from April 2007 to date.

Motor Vehicles: Safety

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress she has made in discussions with her EU counterparts on the Government's policy that motorists in the UK should not be required to use daytime running lights; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The UK has been successful in arguing against the introduction of mandatory use of dipped headlamps during daylight hours by drivers of existing vehicles. This outcome has been welcomed by motorcycle user groups.
	However, from early 2011 all new types of passenger car and light van will have to be fitted with dedicated daytime running lamps in accordance with the relevant European directive. By summer 2012 all new vehicle types will have to be so fitted.

Official Cars: Exhaust Emissions

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the Government's ministerial car fleet are low sulphur vehicles.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Of the 85 cars currently in the ministerial fleet provided by the Government Car and Despatch Agency, 16 (18.82 per cent.) are diesel powered cars capable of running on low sulphur diesel. The remaining fleet consists of 16 (18.82 per cent.) petrol powered cars and 53 (62.35 per cent.) hybrid petrol/electric cars.

Railway Stations: Greater London

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what her policy is on changing the names of London railway stations.

Tom Harris: Any proposal to change a station name is primarily a matter for train operators, Network Rail and London Underground as appropriate. Name changes have, though, happened only infrequently in the past and that is likely to continue to be the case in future.

Railways

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps her Department is taking to encourage people to use rail transport; and if she will consider introducing financial incentives to encourage people to travel by rail.

Tom Harris: holding answer 1 February 2008
	Marketing of rail services is primarily a matter for train operators. They do this in a variety of ways, many of which involve offering financial incentives through discounted fares.
	Unprecedented investment in the railways since 1997 has resulted in an increase in patronage of around 40 per cent.

Railways: Portsmouth

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will make it her policy to accept the recommendations of the Rail Passengers CouncilThe Right Train? report of March 2005 on the use of class 450 trains on the Portsmouth mainline by South West Trains.

Tom Harris: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 31 January 2008,  Official Report, column 542W.

Roads: Accidents

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road accidents in England in 2006 involved drivers who were 17 years of age.

Jim Fitzpatrick: In 2006, there were 5,860 reported personal injury road accidents in England involving at least one driver aged 17 years old.

Roads: Accidents

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many traffic accidents there were involving  (a) pedestrians and  (b) road freight in each region in England in each of the last five years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of reported personal injury road accidents involving  (a) at least one pedestrian casualty and  (b) at least one heavy goods vehicle in each Government Office Region in England for 2002 to 2006 is shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  Reported personal injury road accidents involving at least one pedestrian casualty: England 2002-06 
			   Number of accidents 
			  Government Office Region  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 North East 1,570 1,543 1,442 1,399 1,286 
			 North West 5,188 4,953 4,910 4,602 4,207 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 3,499 3,311 3,152 2,966 2,795 
			 East Midlands 2,285 2,103 2,064 2,005 1,849 
			 West Midlands 3,538 3,344 3,101 2,991 2,820 
			 East of England 2,518 2,302 2,202 2,130 1,943 
			 South East 4,159 3,743 3,737 3,487 3,336 
			 London 7,238 6,900 6,206 5,852 5,390 
			 South West 2,674 2,502 2,450 2,416 2,246 
			 England 32,669 30,701 29,264 27,848 25,872 
		
	
	
		
			  Reported personal injury road accidents involving at least one heavy goods vehicle: England 2002-06 
			   Number of accidents 
			  Government Office Region  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 North East 337 377 332 350 313 
			 North West 1,444 1,400 1,395 1,274 1,223 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 1,115 1,104 1,121 968 948 
			 East Midlands 1,252 1,140 1,214 1,077 991 
			 West Midlands 1,275 1,239 1,278 1,210 1,112 
			 East of England 1,571 1,569 1,433 1,446 1,303 
			 South East 2,032 1,932 1,890 1,796 1,777 
			 London 1,098 1,042 907 962 856 
			 South West 931 1,052 818 905 795 
			 England 11,055 10,855 10,388 9,988 9,318

Roads: Accidents

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many  (a) traffic accidents and  (b) traffic accidents involving road freight there were on the (i) M1, (ii) M2, (iii) M6, (iv) M20, (v) M25, (vi) M60, (vii) M62, (viii) A14 and (ix) A1(M) in each of the last five years.

Tom Harris: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Richmond Park (Susan Kramer) on 18 December 2007,  Official Report, column 1440W.

Roads: Repairs and Maintenance

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if she will publish on the roads section of her Department's website a list of each of the road schemes approved and funded by her Department with  (a) the costs of each scheme at approval,  (b) the latest ministerially approved costs and  (c) the estimated carbon dioxide impact of each;
	(2)  if she will publish on the roads section of her Department's website the appraisal summary tables of the road schemes her Department has approved.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 21 January 2008
	We are currently reviewing the information provided about major road schemes on the Department's and Highways Agency's websites, including information on scheme cost estimates. I can confirm that it is our intention to provide website information on the cost estimates for all local authority and Highways Agency schemes which have received a funding approval.
	I can also confirm that it is our intention to publish the latest appraisal summary table, as well as other relevant information for each local authority major scheme currently at an approval stage on the Department's website. Appraisal summary tables for Highways Agency schemes are already available within the project pages on the agency's website. Information on the carbon impacts of each scheme is provided in the scheme's appraisal summary table.

Severn Bridge: Tolls

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will make it her policy to allow non-cash payment methods for tolls levied on the M48 Severn Bridge; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: We want it to be as convenient as possible for people to pay tolls and we are looking at how to solve the practical obstacles to credit card payments. A local working group made up from the Highways Agency, Welsh Assembly Government and Severn River Crossings plc was set up in November last year to work through the issues and come up with a way forward.
	Further consideration will be given once the working group have submitted their findings and recommendations.

Severn Bridge: Tolls

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the impact of charging tolls on vehicles travelling in both directions on the M48 Severn Bridge on the flow of  (a) heavy goods vehicles and  (b) all vehicles on the A48 in Gloucestershire.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 29 November 2007,  Official Report, column 605W.

Taxis: Disabled

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons sections 32 to 36 of the Disability Discrimination Act (Taxi accessibility regulations) 1995 have not yet been brought into force.

Rosie Winterton: The Government recognise the vital role that taxis play in the transportation of disabled people and we are committed to delivering more accessible taxis. We need to choose the best way in which to deliver an increased number of taxis that are accessible to people with all types of disability.
	Under sections 32 to 36 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, the Government have powers to regulate in this area. There are, however, advantages and disadvantages associated with regulation and, in light of the Government's better regulation agenda, I am currently re-evaluating all the options, both regulatory and non-regulatory. I will announce our proposals shortly.
	In the meantime, we are encouraging taxi licensing authorities to ensure that local policies take account of the needs of all taxi users. The Department issued best practice guidance to local authorities in 2006. Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act also now applies to both hackney cabs and private hire vehicles and it gives disabled people a right of access to goods, services and facilities.
	Taxi drivers now have to take reasonable steps to ensure that disabled people are able to use their vehicles, but they do not have to modify the vehicle itself. The Disability Rights Commission (now superseded by the Equality and Human Rights Commission) issued guidance in 2007 on what may be considered reasonable in relation to disabled people and access to taxis.

Transport: Carbon Emissions

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage changes she anticipates in transport-related carbon dioxide emissions by  (a) 2020 and  (b) 2050 under Government plans.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 24 January 2008
	Without accounting for the impact of policy measures, analysis suggests that emissions of carbon dioxide from UK transport would continue to increase to 2020. However, by implementing the policy measures quantified in the 2006 Climate Change programme and the 2007 Energy White Paper, domestic emissions from transport are projected to be up to 20 per cent. lower in 2020 than they would have been in the absence of these measures.
	Because of the uncertainty of long-term forecasting, the Government have constructed a number of scenarios to model the costs of achieving long-term emission reductions. In the central scenario from the UK MARKAL-Macro model reported in the 2007 Energy White Paper, (under which the UK achieves a 60 per cent. reduction in domestic CO2 emissions by 2050), the transport sector sees emission reductions from 2000 levels of about 5 per cent. by 2020, and of about 45 per cent. by 2050.
	The results of this model are not forecasts; the model presents the most cost-effective way of achieving the target in 2050, given, for example, an analysis of what technology can in principle deliver.

Transport: Exhaust Emissions

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate she has made of the average carbon dioxide emissions per person per journey from London to  (a) Bristol,  (b) Birmingham,  (c) Newcastle and  (d) Edinburgh by (i) air, (ii) rail, (iii) lorry and (iv) car.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 28 January 2008
	Transport Direct (www.transportdirect.info) the Department's multi-modal journey planner, provides average CO2 emissions per person for journeys within Great Britain. The planner gives the following estimates of kg CO2 per passenger:
	
		
			  London to:  Bristol  Birmingham  Newcastle  Edinburgh 
			 km 182 170 408 578 
			 Air (1)28.7 (1)26.9 64.5 91.3 
			 Rail 10.9 10.3 24.6 34.8 
			 Small car(2) 23.2 21.7 52.1 73.7 
			 Large car(2) 46.7 43.8 105.1 148.7 
			 (1 )Journey by this mode is not possible but is calculated on average emissions for the relevant distance. (2 )Assuming one occupant. 
		
	
	These figures do not include lorry travel as the Department does not collect figures on passengers travelling by this mode. However, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Company Reporting Guidelines (http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/business/envrp/pdf/envrpgas-annexes.pdf) give average emission factors per km for lorry journeys, separated by type of vehicle and laden factor (the extent to which the lorry is loaded to its maximum carrying capacity).
	For example, the average CO2 emissions from a 0 per cent. laden rigid HGV (carrying no load), travelling from London to Edinburgh, is approximately 359 kg. With a laden factor of 100 per cent., this average increases to about 517 kg. Actual emissions will vary depending on, for example, the particular vehicle, driving style and laden factor. Similar calculations can be made using the guidelines for journeys between any two points in the UK.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces: Eyesight

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the merits of the provision of laser eye surgery for personnel with visual defects to improve their operational effectiveness;
	(2)  what representations he has received from organisations and individuals on the provision of laser eye surgery for personnel with visual defects to improve their operational effectiveness.

Derek Twigg: For personnel in specified groups or professions, the MOD already provides certain refractive devices, including defence and respirator spectacles, corrective flying spectacles, and soft contact lenses.
	Current departmental policy permits the majority of personnel in all three services to undergo certain forms of Corneal Refractive Surgery (CRS). Procedures which are in most cases permitted are Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK); Laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK); Laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK); and Intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS). Procedures not permitted are radial keratotomy (RK), astigmatic keratotomy (AK), or any form of invasive intraocular surgical procedure.
	However, more stringent regulations apply to aircrew in all three services, for whom only PRK and LASEK are permitted.
	The Defence Medical Services (DMS) have received informal, representations from a few companies offering to provide laser eye surgery for service personnel. There is evidence of improving safety and efficacy of laser eye surgery and DMS specialists are currently engaged in reviewing this evidence in the military context.

Armed Forces: Housing

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 21 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1580W, on armed forces: housing, by what date he expects  (a) all,  (b) 95 per cent. and  (c) 90 per cent. of (i) single living accommodation bed-spaces and (ii) service families accommodation properties to be in the top grade for condition.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 31 January 2008
	The position has not changed from my previous answer and there is nothing more that I can add at this time.

Armed Forces: Pensions

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average pension paid to a soldier of each rank was on retirement from the armed forces in England in 2006-07.

Derek Twigg: The tables give the standard pension entitlement, by years of service and rank, to those commissioned and non-commissioned Army personnel reaching their immediate pension point under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 1975 in Financial Year 2006-07.
	
		
			  Commission ed Army p ersonnel 
			   per year 
			  Years of reckonable service  Captain and below  Major  Lieutenant Colonel  Colonel  Brigadier 
			 16 11,192 13,330 17,477 20,238 24,156 
			 17 11,708 13,963 18,286 21,174 25,097 
			 18 12,224 14,596 19,095 22,110 26,039 
			 19 12,740 15,229 19,903 23,046 26,981 
			 20 13,256 15,862 20,712 23,983 27,923 
			 21 13,772 16,496 21,520 24,919 28,864 
			 22 14,287 17,129 22,329 25,855 29,806 
			 23 14,803 17,762 23,138 26,791 30,748 
			 24 15,319 18,395 23,946 27,727 31,690 
			 25 15,835 19,028 24,755 28,663 32,631 
			 26 16,351 19,661 25,564 29,599 33,573 
			 27 16,867 20,295 26,372 30,536 34,515 
			 28 17,383 20,928 27,181 31,472 35,457 
			 29 17,899 21,561 27,989 32,408 36,398 
			 30 18,415 22,194 28,798 33,344 37,340 
			 31 18,931 22,827 29,607 34,280 38,282 
			 32 19,446 23,461 30,415 35,216 39,223 
			 33 19,962 24,094 31,224 36,152 40,165 
			 34 20,478 24,727 32,033 37,089 41,107 
		
	
	
		
			  Non-commissioned Army personnel 
			   per year 
			  Years of reckonable service  Lance Corporal and below  Corporal  Sergeant  Staff Sergeant  Warrant Officer Class 2  Warrant Officer Class 1 
			 22 6,624 8,545 9,367 10,671 11,392 12,114 
			 23 6,855 8,843 9,694 11,043 11,790 12,537 
			 24 7,086 9,141 10,021 11,416 12,188 12,960 
			 25 7,318 9,439 10,348 11,788 12,585 13,383 
			 26 7,549 9,738 10,675 12,161 12,983 13,805 
			 27 7,780 10,036 11,002 12,533 13,381 14,228 
			 28 8,011 10,334 11,329 12,906 13,778 14,651 
			 29 8,243 10,632 11,656 13,278 14,176 15,074 
			 30 8,474 10,931 11,983 13,651 14,574 15,497 
			 31 8,705 11,229 12,310 14,023 14,971 15,920 
			 32 8,936 11,527 12,637 14,396 15,369 16,342 
			 33 9,167 11,825 12,964 14,768 15,767 16,765 
			 34 9,399 12,124 13,291 15,141 16,164 17,188 
			 35 9,630 12,422 13,618 15,513 16,562 17,611 
			 36 9,861 12,720 13,945 15,886 16,960 18,034 
			 37 10,092 13,018 14,272 16,258 17,357 18,457 
		
	
	Although a breakdown by rank is not available, the actual average annual pensions for the AFPS 1975 and 2005 schemes, paid in Financial Year 2006-07, were 16,641 for commissioned personnel and 5,976 for non-commissioned personnel. These figures include those who left before their immediate pension point but have, on reaching age 60, received their preserved AFPS pensions.

Armed Forces: Training

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) name,  (b) date and  (c) location was of each EU military training exercise in which British military personnel have taken part since 2004; and how many British military personnel participated in each.

Des Browne: EU policy is that it will only conduct Command Post Exercises, practising its Command and Control arrangements. British military personnel have taken part in two such exercises since 2004:
	MILEX 05, which took place from 22 November-1 December 2005 in Mt. Valerien in France, where five British military augmentees participated, and in Ulm, Germany, where two British military augmentees participated.
	MILEX 07, which took place from 7-15 June 2007 in Brussels, where one British military augmentee participated and in Enkoping, Sweden, where one British military augmentee participated.

DA Notices

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many defence advisory notices were issued in each of the last four quarters.

Des Browne: holding answer 1 February 2008
	The Secretary of the Defence Press and Broadcasting Advisory Committee (DPBAC) has written to all UK editors to amplify the general guidance on the following occasions in relation to various DA notices:
	
		
			   Letters 
			 1 January to 31 March 2007 4 
			 1 April to 30 June 2007 2 
			 1 July to 30 September 2007 2 
			 1 October to 31 December 2007 1 
		
	
	This corrects the information previously provided in my answer of 16 October 2007,  Official Report, column 937W, to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) where I stated that the Secretary of the Defence Press and Broadcasting Advisory Committee had previously sent seven letters to all editors for 2007 up to October when he had in fact provided eight.

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to reduce his Department's carbon dioxide emissions in 2008-09.

Derek Twigg: The MOD is determined to lead the way in reducing its carbon dioxide emissions. We have already made significant progress in this area by taking a range of actions including: improving building energy management and energy efficiency; working with the Carbon Trust to identify opportunities for energy efficiency improvements at the top 220 energy-consuming defence sites; making central funds available for estate emissions reduction projects and embedding pro-rata energy efficiency targets into service delivery agreements between the MOD Permanent Under-Secretary and the Department's management areas. We have also worked with our road vehicle fleet contractors to provide more energy-efficient vehicles and have offset emissions from business and ministerial flights.
	Work in these areas will continue during 2008-09 and beyond. In addition, we will develop and implement a carbon neutrality strategy for the MOD office estate, increase our procurement of non-climate change levy electricity and use of on-site micro-renewable energy systems, and make staff more aware of the environmental impact of their travel through a new self-booking travel tool.

Departmental Travel

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on travel  (a) within and  (b) outside the UK for officials in each of the last 10 years; and what percentage of his Department's overall expenditure was spent on such travel in each such year.

Derek Twigg: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. All travel is conducted in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Civil Service Management Code.

Departmental Visits Abroad

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many overseas visits by officials in his Department took place in each of the last 10 years; which countries were visited; and how much was spent on such visits in each such year.

Derek Twigg: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Since 1999, the Government have published on an annual basis a list of all overseas visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of 500, as well as the total cost of all ministerial travel overseas. Information on the number of officials accompanying Ministers on overseas visits is included in the list. All travel is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

ATHENA

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is expected that the President of the European Council will convene and chair the meetings of the ATHENA Special Committee under the treaty of Lisbon if ratified; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: The Lisbon treaty does not specify who will convene and chair the meetings of the ATHENA Special Committee. Currently, the chairmanship is rotated every six months among member states.

ATHENA

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether  (a) qualified majority voting,  (b) unanimity and  (c) another voting procedure is used when voting in the ATHENA Special Committee.

Des Browne: Decisions of EU Special Committee ATHENA are taken unanimously by its members.

ATHENA

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much the UK has spent on European Security and Defence Policy training exercises under the ATHENA mechanism since January 2004.

Des Browne: The UK share of eligible costs under the ATHENA mechanism attributed to European Security and Defence Policy training exercises since January 2004 is 104,561.

ATHENA

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the bank account used by the ATHENA Special Committee for EU military missions has ever been overdrawn; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: Bank accounts used for EU-led operations having military or defence implications are managed under the authority of the EU Special Committee ATHENA by: the administrator of the ATHENA mechanism; the commander of each operation (in relation to the operation which he/she commands); and an accounting officer. No ATHENA bank account may be overdrawn.

ATHENA

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) name and  (b) country of location was of the bank used by the ATHENA Special Committee for each EU military mission since 2004.

Des Browne: The bank used by Special Committee ATHENA for each military mission since 2004 is ING-Bruxelles in Belgium.

ATHENA

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on bank charges relating to payments from the UK's contribution to the ATHENA mechanism in each year since 2004; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: The UK share of ATHENA bank charges that have been paid in each year since 2004 is as follows:
	
		
			
			 2004 347 
			 2005 380 
			 2006 363 
			 2007 362

ATHENA

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the ATHENA mechanism common funding of EU military missions has been paid to NATO for use of NATO assets for EU  (a) military missions and  (b) military training exercises by (i) the UK, (ii) the EU and (iii) NATO member states who are not members of the EU in each year since 2004.

Des Browne: None. It was agreed in 2003 by the NATO and European Councils that NATO would charge the EU only for incremental or out-of-pocket costs for using NATO assets. To date it has not been necessary for NATO to charge such costs.

ATHENA

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether NATO member states who are not members of the EU providing troops and resources to an EU military mission which falls under the 2002 Berlin Plus Agreement are allowed to  (a) participate in and  (b) be present during voting in the ATHENA Special Committee; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: NATO nations who are not members of the EU but who contribute to the financing of the common costs of an EU-led operation are considered as 'contributing third states'. 'Contributing third states' are entitled to take part in the proceedings of Special Committee ATHENA but are not permitted to take part in or be present at its votes.

Individual Resettlement Training Costs Grant

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's total expenditure was on the Individual Resettlement Training Costs Grant in each year since 2000-01.

Derek Twigg: The information is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what major combat units are operating in Iraq.

Des Browne: holding answer 15 January 2008
	The units serving in Iraq can be found on the MOD website at:
	http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/Operations Factsheets/OperationsInIraqDetailsOfBritishAndCoalitionForces.htm
	and are listed as follows:
	4th Mechanised Brigade Headquarters and 204 Signal Squadron
	The Royal Dragoon Guards
	1st Battalion Scots Guards
	The Royal Scots Borders, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland
	1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (King's, Lancashire and Border)
	1st Battalion The 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment (1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment as of 1 September 2007)
	21 Engineer Regiment
	12 Logistic Support Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
	1 Close Support Medical Regiment
	Elements of 845 Naval Air Squadron (Sea King)
	Elements of 847 Naval Air Squadron (Lynx)
	D Battery, 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
	K Battery, 5th Regiment Royal Artillery
	Elements of 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)
	62 Works Group Royal Engineers, 523 Specialist Team Royal Engineers (Works)
	Elements of 3rd (UK) Division Signal Regiment, The Royal Corps of Signals
	Elements of 1st (UK) Armoured Division Signal Regiment, The Royal Corps of Signals
	Elements of 10th Signal Regiment, The Royal Corps of Signals
	Elements of 14th Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare), The Royal Corps of Signals
	Elements of 21st Signal Regiment (Air Support), The Royal Corps of Signals
	Elements of 6 Supply Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
	Elements of 16 Tank Transporter Squadron, 7 Transport Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
	Elements of 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
	Elements of 84 Medical Supply Squadron, 9 Supply Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
	Elements of 150 Transport Regiment (Volunteers), The Royal Logistic Corps
	Elements of 24 Postal, Courier and Movement Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
	Elements of 29 Postal, Courier and Movement Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
	Elements of 148 Expeditionary Forces Institute Squadron (Volunteers), The Royal Logistic Corps
	Elements of 1 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
	115 Provost Company, 1st Provost Regiment, Royal Military Police
	Elements of 102 Military Working Dog Support Unit, Royal Army Veterinary Corps
	Elements of 1 Military Intelligence Brigade
	No 28 (AC) Squadron, Royal Air Force (Merlin)
	619 Tactical Air Control Party, Royal Air Force
	627 Tactical Air Control Party, Royal Air Force.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many private contractors were employed by his Department in Iraq on 1 January 2008; how many were employed on 1 January in each of the previous three years; and what the cost was of such employment in each year.

Des Browne: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Marines: Labour Turnover

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) outflow,  (b) voluntary outflow in total and  (c) voluntary outflow rate from the Royal Marines was in each year since 1997.

Bob Ainsworth: The following table provides the outflow, voluntary outflow and voluntary outflow rate for the Royal Marines for each year since 1997.
	
		
			   Total outflow  Voluntary outflow  Voluntary outflow rate as a percentage of strength 
			 1997 530 280 4.6 
			 1998 690 410 6.9 
			 1999 580 310 5.3 
			 2000 540 270 4.5 
			 2001 580 360 6.0 
			 2002 590 380 6.1 
			 2003 540 320 5.0 
			 2004 650 390 6.1 
			 2005 620 430 6.7 
			 2006 540 380 5.9 
			 2007 520 370 5.6 
			  Notes: 1. These figures are drawn from trained regular Royal Marine personnel. 2. Promotions to officer from the ranks, demotions to the ranks from officer and transfers to other services have been excluded. 3. When rounding to the nearest 10, numbers ending in five have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias. 4. Due to ongoing data validation following the introduction of JPA, the flows since October 2006 are still provisional.

National Security

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role his Department has played in drafting the National Security Strategy; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: The Department is working closely with the Cabinet Office and other interested Departments and agencies to produce the National Security Strategy.

NATO

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which countries he plans to support as prospective members as part of the future enlargement of NATO.

Des Browne: The question of invitations to Albania, Croatia and Macedonia (each of which is participating in a Membership Action Plan) will be considered at the NATO summit meeting to be held in Bucharest in April. The UK supports the membership aspirations of those European countries that meet NATO's standards and share its values and would be pleased if all three were ready to receive an invitation.

Nuclear Submarines: Decommissioning

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of the decommissioning of the Vanguard Class submarines; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: Nuclear decommissioning costs are the subject of current work within the Department. When this work is complete, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
	 Substantive answer from Bob Ainsworth to Alex Salmond :
	I undertook to write to you in my answer of 7 January 2008 (Official Report, column 53W) to respond to your Question, regarding the cost of the decommissioning of Vanguard Class submarines.
	As you may be aware from the answers to previous questions, it is not possible to provide costs broken down by class; the furthest they can be broken down at present is to the total decommissioning cost for in-service submarines only.
	Nuclear decommissioning provisions are the estimated costs of future liabilities. These are principally related to future facility decommissioning and the treatment and storage of nuclear waste arising from operations at MOD sites, operations of Royal Navy submarines, and the Departmental share of planning and constructing a national repository for the eventual disposal of that waste.
	We have recently undertaken a review of the nuclear provisions. Our estimated current liability for in-service submarines only (i.e. excluding facility decommissioning, and the decommissioning of out of service submarines and submarines not yet in service) is 455 million. This is an 'undiscounted' figure, meaning that it includes an estimate of potential inflation; the equivalent discounted figure is 240 million.
	I hope that this is helpful.

Road Traffic Offences

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) parking tickets and  (b) speeding fines were issued for vehicles used by his Department in each of the last 10 years; and what the cost to the public purse of those penalties was in each year.

Bob Ainsworth: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 October 2007,  Official Report, column 1117W, to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker).

Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Contracts

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contracts have been entered into by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Support Integrated Project Team since 2004; and what the value was of each contract.

Bob Ainsworth: Since 2004, numerous contracts have been entered into by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Support Integrated Project Team and I will write to the hon. Member with details.
	 Substantive answer from Bob Ainsworth to Norman Baker :
	I undertook to write to you in my answer of 7 January 2008 (Official Report, column 57W) to provide details of contracts placed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Support Integrated Project Team (RFAS IPT) since 2004. I apologise for the time it has taken to collate this information.
	Since 2007, the IPT has placed a total of 403 contracts in support of in-service RFA vessels and details of each contract are included in the attached list. You will notice they have been separated into competitive and non-competitive contracts.
	I am withholding details of individual contract values that were let following a competitive process, as to release this information could prejudice the commercial interests of the contractors and could provide their competitors with a commercial advantage for future procurements. In order to provide you with as much information as possible, however, the competitive contracts have been grouped into price categories.
	I am placing a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.

Shropshire

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the value was of each grant provided by his Department, its associated agencies and non-departmental public bodies to  (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council,  (b) Shropshire county council and  (c) Telford and the Wrekin borough council in (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08; and what grants have been planned for 2008-09.

Derek Twigg: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Trident: Finance

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his most recent estimate is of the total annual cost of the Trident replacement system; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: holding  answer 29 January 2008
	As the December 2006 White Paper, 'The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent' (Cm 6994), made clear, we have decided to maintain our nuclear deterrent capability by procuring a new class of submarines to replace the Vanguard-class and by participating in a programme to extend the life of the Trident IID5 missile. We expect that once the new fleet of submarines comes into service the annual in-service costs of the UK's nuclear deterrent, including the costs of the Atomic Weapons Establishment, will be similar to today (around 5 to 6 per cent. of the defence budget).

HOME DEPARTMENT

101 Calls

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of each of the 101 non-emergency numbers projects; and if she will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Evaluation and assessment of the single non-emergency number 101 service in the initial five live areas has found that the service has successfully demonstrated the benefits it was intended to achieve. In addition to improving the public's access to community safety services, through better partnership working and information about what problems are happening where, the 101 service has also helped local police and councils to target their resources more effectively and efficiently and improve the delivery of those services to the public.
	While the Government recognise the benefits that have been achieved, it has been decided that the Home Office will not continue to fund directly the operation of the 101 service in the live areas or the development of 101 services in other areas. This was a difficult decision taken in the context of significant pressure on resources and competing policing and security priorities.
	However, the Home Office will continue to provide funding for the national 101 infrastructure in order to enable and support local areas to maintain or develop their own locally funded 101 services, informed by and building on the benefits demonstrated to date, I welcome the work currently being taken forward to this effect by the Greater London Assembly together with London councils, individual boroughs and the Metropolitan Police in their plans to pilot the 101 service locally.

Asylum: Deportation

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many attempts to deport asylum seekers failed because the receiving country refused to accept them in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many attempts to deport asylum seekers failed because the receiving country refused to accept them after the flight had left the UK in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 24 January 2008
	The information requested could be obtained only by the detailed examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost.

Biometrics: National Identity Register

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether foreign nationals who require a biometric immigration document will have their details entered onto the National Identity Register.

Meg Hillier: Foreign nationals' details will not be recorded on the National Identity Register until biometric immigration documents are designated under the Identity Cards Act 2006.

Biometrics: National Identity Register

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which pieces of information to be included on identity cards for British nationals are included on biometric immigration documents for foreign nationals; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: The precise information to be recorded on an identity card issued to British citizens will be prescribed in regulations to be approved by Parliament under section 6 of the Identity Cards Act 2006. There will be some core identity information that will be common to both the identity card for British citizens and the biometric immigration document for foreign nationals, such as photograph of the holder, name and date of birth. However, the biometric immigration document will also include details of the holder's immigration status, as well as whether employment is allowed or restricted, and if the holder is entitled to public funds, which would not appear on the cards for British citizens.

Crimes of Violence

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) violent and  (b) other crimes were recorded in (i) North Yorkshire and (ii) city of York constituency in each of the last 10 years.

Vernon Coaker: The available information is given in the table. Violence against the person data for the city of York are only available from 1999-2000 and other crimes data from 2000-01.
	
		
			  Violence against the person and other crimes recorded by the police 
			  Area and year  Violence against the person  Other crimes  Total crimes 
			  North Yorkshire
			 1997(1) 2,425 47,827 50,252 
			 1998-99 4,827 50,482 55,309 
			 1999-2000 5,101 48,453 53,554 
			 2000-01 4,895 46,637 51,532 
			 2001-02(2) 5,624 53,501 59,125 
			 2002-03(2) 8,108 59,131 67,239 
			 2003-04 9,610 61,863 71,473 
			 2004-05 12,045 49,570 61,615 
			 2005-06 11,473 47,377 58,850 
			 2006-07 10,087 44,439 54,526 
			 
			  City of York
			 1997 (3) (3) (3) 
			 1998-99 (3) (3) (3) 
			 1999-2000 1,650 (3) (3) 
			 2000-01 1,504 17,787 19,291 
			 2001-02(2) 1,656 21,234 22,890 
			 2002-03(2) 2,575 23,055 25,630 
			 2003-04 3,459 25,888 29,347 
			 2004-05 4,000 19,080 23,080 
			 2005-06 3,810 18,974 22,784 
			 2006-07 3,285 17,650 20,935 
			 (1 )Using the expanded coverage and revised counting rules which came into force on 1 April 1998. (2 )The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced on 1 April 2002. Figures before and after that date are not directly comparable. (3 )Not available.

Databases: Genetics

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests have been made to chief constables for the removal of  (a) DNA and  (b) police national computer records since 2006; and how many of these requests have been granted.

Meg Hillier: There are no central records of the number of requests made to chief officers for the removal of DNA, fingerprints and police national computer records and the number which have been granted since 2006. Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, the decision on whether to agree to a request from an individual to have their DNA profile, fingerprints and associated records removed from police databases lies with the chief officer of the force which took the DNA sample and fingerprint records.

Databases: Genetics

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what assessment her Department has made of the likely period of time it will take a police constable to check a person's identity against the National Identity Register when it becomes operational;
	(2)  what assessment her Department has made of the technology requirements needed by police forces to check a person's identity against the National Identity Register when it becomes available; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  how many police stations her Department expects to have technology and equipment to allow officers access to the National Identity Register when it is first introduced.

Meg Hillier: It is estimated that police checks against the NIR will take only a short time, similar to current checks against police databases, to fit in with the operational requirements of the police. The exact amount of time taken will vary, depending on the nature of the check carried out, but routine identity verification should take a matter of seconds.
	The exact technical details of how identity checks will be made have yet to be negotiated, precise details will be determined by the chosen supplier and the police during the development of the Scheme.
	When the Scheme is first introduced the number of checks required by the police will be limited but will increase as the Scheme grows. Consequently, in the beginning there will be a limited number of police stations that have technology and equipment to allow officers to make identity checks against the National Identity Register. As rollout continues it will be a matter for the police to determine their requirement for equipment as the Scheme rolls out.

Databases: Genetics

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people arrested but not subsequently convicted had their details  (a) entered onto and  (b) subsequently removed from the National DNA Database in each year since its creation.

Meg Hillier: The National DNA Database (NDNAD) records the DNA profiles for particular individuals. It does not hold data on arrest and criminal records. To provide figures for the number of people arrested but not convicted which were  (a) entered onto and  (b) removed from the National DNA Database could be done at disproportionate cost only.

Domestic Violence: Crime Prevention

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government are taking to help reduce levels of domestic violence.

Vernon Coaker: A key objective of the cross-Government National Delivery Plan for domestic violence is to reduce the prevalence of domestic violence through actions to: increase the early identification of (and interventions with) victims of domestic violence; ensure that effective advice and support is provided to victims of domestic violence; improve the criminal justice response to domestic violence; and managing perpetrators of domestic violence to reduce risk.
	Key aspects of the Government's work have included:
	encouraging early reporting of domestic violence through supporting a matrix of national help lines for both victims and perpetrators;
	rolling out routine inquiries to all maternity services in recognition of the links between pregnancy and domestic violence;
	strengthening the criminal justice response through the development and expansion of specialist domestic violence courts to 64 in England and Wales with plans to increase this to 100 by the end of 2007-08;
	ensuring that co-ordinators of appropriate responses to domestic violence are located in every police force, every probation area and every Crown Prosecution Service area;
	establishing accredited perpetrator programmes for convicted perpetrators in all probation areas; and
	improving the safety of identified high risk victims of domestic violence through the development of independent domestic violence adviser services and multi-agency risk assessment conferences, with over 100 areas currently supported.
	The Government have provided funding to specialist domestic violence courts, multi-agency risk assessment conferences and independent domestic violence advisers within Wirral and across Merseyside.
	This work is already having a significant impact nationally: according to the British Crime Survey there has been a 59 per cent. decrease in the prevalence of domestic violence between 1995 and 2006-07.

Domestic Violence: Finance

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding allocated to domestic violence prevention programmes in  (a) England and Wales,  (b) Teesside and  (c) Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland in each of the last five years.

Vernon Coaker: The national domestic violence budgets contribute towards the delivery of the cross-Government National Delivery Plan for Domestic Violence, which focuses on a range of key work objectives covering early intervention and prevention through to support for victims and the management of perpetrators of domestic violence.
	The allocated budget for England and Wales since 2003-04 was as follows:
	2003-04: 7.145 million to 6 million allocated to the Violence Against Women Initiative within the Crime Reduction Programme; 1 million allocated to a national awareness raising campaign; 145,000 allocated to domestic violence victims with no recourse to public funds.
	2004-05: 1.65 million to 1.1 million allocated to the Government Offices for the Regions for local delivery against the Government's objectives; 50,000 allocated to implement the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004; and 500,000 allocated to a national awareness raising campaign.
	2005-06: 5.5 million to 3 million allocated to the Government Offices for the Regions for local delivery against the Government's objectives; 1 million allocated to support the development of the Specialist Domestic Violence Court (SDVC) Programme; 1 million allocated to fund a variety of projects including a matrix of national domestic violence helplines; and 500,000 allocated to a national awareness raising campaign.
	2006-07: 6 million to 3 million allocated to the Government Offices for the Regions for local delivery against the Government's objectives; 1 million allocated to support the SDVC Programme; 1 million allocated to develop Independent Domestic Violence Adviser (IDVA) services for SDVC Programme areas; and 1 million allocated to fund a variety of projects including a matrix of national domestic violence helplines.
	2007-08: 8.85 million to 3 million allocated to develop IDVA services; 2 million allocated to the Government Offices for the Regions for local delivery against the Government's objectives; 2 million allocated to fund a variety of projects including a matrix of national domestic violence helplines; and 1.85 million allocated to develop Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs).
	In addition to this, the Supporting People programme provides housing-related support for victims and their children. The following allocations were made in the last four years:
	
		
			million 
			 2003-04 57 
			 2004-05 56.9 
			 2005-06 59.3 
			 2006-07 61.6 
		
	
	The following funding has been received by Teesside, Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland in each of the last five years:
	2003-04: Middlesbrough was granted an additional year's funding from the Violence Against Women Initiative of 57,802 to continue running the My Sister's Place support services for victims of domestic violence. During the same year Cleveland police were allocated 60,000.
	2004-05: A total of 60,000 was allocated to Hartlepool, Stockton, Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland to develop and pilot a perpetrator programme.
	2005-06: The Tees Valley area was allocated 75,000 towards the rollout of the perpetrator programme across the four areas.
	2006-07: The four areas received 89,000 to add value to the existing work and delivery of Community Safety Partnership domestic violence strategies, including training for Domestic Violence Co-ordinators, supporting the development of the SDVC Programme, and support and training for IDVAs. In addition to this, My Sister's Place received 20,000 to provide IDVAs to support Cleveland's SDVC.
	2007-08: The four areas received 48,000 to address priorities aligned to the Government's domestic violence agenda, including support for the development and implementation of MARACs, support and training for IDVAs, support in relation to the ongoing development and implementation of SDVCs, support for sub-regional domestic violence training, and support for non-mandatory perpetrator programmes.
	20,000 continuation funding for IDVAs was provided to My Sister's Place, and a further 15,000 for MARAC administration within the Cleveland SDVC area.

Emergency Calls

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average response time to 999 calls was for the fire services in each year since 1997, broken down by each local authority; and if she will make a statement.

Parmjit Dhanda: I have been asked to reply.
	A table has been deposited in the Library of the House which shows the average response times taken by each fire and rescue services between 1997 and 2006, the most recent calendar year for which data are available. The table shows the time from the initial call to attendance, and the time from mobilisation to attendance (i.e. the actual driving time).

Emergency Calls

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of calls to the 999 emergency services number were for the  (a) police and  (b) fire service in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Home Office does not keep central records of the proportion of calls to the 999 emergency services number that were for the police, fire service or any other emergency service. Individual police and fire authorities will hold information relating to the number of 999 emergency calls they have received.

European Extradition Warrant

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 10 October 2007,  Official Report, column 83W, on the European Extradition Warrant, if she will take steps to establish and maintain a record of those British nationals extradited to EU member states under a European Extradition Warrant who are subsequently found guilty; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: holding answer 17 December 2007
	The purpose of extradition is to ensure that those accused of a crime do not avoid justice by leaving the country in which the alleged offence took place. The fugitives unit of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) processes extraditions from the UK to member states of the European Union under the European Arrest Warrant system. The involvement of SOCA finishes when the extradition case is concluded, either by the person being extradited to the requesting country or by the extradition request being dismissed. SOCA has no statutory role in the monitoring of cases post extradition.
	However, information about convictions received abroad by UK citizenswhether extradition was involved or notmay be of interest to the UK police, and this information is obtained from countries of the Council of Europe (which includes all EU member states) by the UK Central Authority for the Exchange of Criminal Record information (UKCA-ECR) which is a part of the Criminal Records Office of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACRO).

Extradition

Denis Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for the extradition of UK citizens were received in each of the last five years; and how many of those extradition applications were granted.

Meg Hillier: The Home Office is the Government Department responsible for extradition. It is long-standing policy and practice to neither confirm nor deny the existence of an extradition request ahead of a person's arrest. Table 1, as follows, sets out how many UK citizens have been arrested pursuant to extradition requests made to England and Wales since 1 January 2003; and how many UK citizens have been extradited.
	Since 1 January 2004, the UK has been operating the Framework Decision on the European arrest warrant (EAW) with other member states of the EU. The Home Office has no involvement in the operation of the EAW. The Serious Organised Crime agency is the designated UK authority for the receipt and transmission of EAWs in the UK. Table 2, as follows, gives the number of UK nationals (a) arrested and (b) surrendered under the EAW procedure.
	
		
			  Table 1: Extradition Statistics 
			   Arrests pursuant to the extradition requests received  Extradited( 1) 
			 2003 21 12 
			 2004 31 18 
			 2005 5 1 
			 2006 14 6 
			 2007 6 0 
			 Total 77 37 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: European Arrest Warrant Statistics 
			   EAWs received  Extradited( 1) 
			 2004 12 5 
			 2005 42 11 
			 2006 49 26 
			 2007(2) 48 22 
			 Total 151 64 
			 (1) A person is not always extradited in the same year an extradition request/EAW is made.  (2) These figures are from January to October 2007.

Human Trafficking

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will announce a timetable for the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The Government are determined to prioritise the effort to tackle the misery of human trafficking. That is why we intend to ratify the convention before the end of this year, subject to achieving necessary changes to domestic legislation in all parts of the UK.

Human Trafficking

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new research has been commissioned or undertaken by her Department into trafficking for forced labour since the publication of the UK Action Plan on Tackling Human Trafficking; and what further research is planned for 2008.

Jacqui Smith: Knowledge about the nature and scale of trafficking for forced labour in the UK can be developed either by specific research or through intelligence collation.
	Intelligence on trafficking for forced labour is currently being gathered from police forces across the UK under Operation Pentameter 2 and will be used to update our assessment of the extent of the problem. In the interim no further research on forced labour has been commissioned although the research on whether there are any specific risks of abuse concerning those entering to carry out domestic work or in related categories is still ongoing.
	Work is also being undertaken on trafficking for forced labour as part of the implementation process of the Council of Europe Convention. In 2008 the Home Office will be running a pilot project, supported by the United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre, aimed at tackling trafficking for forced labour.

Identity and Passport Service: Disciplinary Proceedings

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in the Identity and Passport Service and its predecessor agencies  (a) investigated,  (b) dismissed and (c) disciplined for corruption or other irregularities relating to the issuing or processing of British passports in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Meg Hillier: The figures for the number of people within the Identity and Passport Service who have been  (a) investigated,  (b) dismissed and  (c) disciplined for corruption or other irregularities relating to the issuing or processing of British passports are given in the following table.
	These figures do not include any ongoing investigations which may be underway within IPS.
	
		
			   Investigated  Disciplined( 1)  Dismissed 
			 2002-03 11 0 2 
			 2003-04 39 4 0 
			 2004-05 28 7 4 
			 2005-06 17 0 2 
			 2006-07 9 1 2 
			 (1) Indicates an action other than dismissal

Identity and Passport Service: Vetting

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people  (a) employed by and  (b) working as contractors and couriers for the Identity and Passport Service have been subject to Criminal Records Bureau checks at each level of disclosure.

Meg Hillier: The only Identity and Passport Service (IPS) staff required to have Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance are staff within the Interview Office Network. Currently there are 493 staff in post and they all have CRB clearance. This is part of the pre-employment checks.
	For interims, consultants, and contractors on work packages, none are required to have CRB checks as they are not working with children or the vulnerable.
	IPS partners, special mail services (SMS) couriers, undergo a number of employment checks, but are not CRB checked.

Identity Cards

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she will answer Questions 164855, 164765, 164967 and 164968 on the cost of the identity card and biometric passport scheme, tabled by the hon. Member for Fareham on 12 November 2007.

Meg Hillier: I refer the hon. Member to my replies of 17 December 2006,  Official Report, columns 960-61W and on 7 January 2008,  Official Repor t, column 282W.

Identity Cards: Consultants

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department has spent on  (a) the identity cards project and  (b) external consultants working on the identity cards project to date.

Meg Hillier: Between the financial years 2003-04 and 2005-06, 41.1 million was spent by the Identity Cards Programme in total.
	Of this expenditure, 31.6 million was spent on consulting and contracting services and 180,000 was spent on polling and opinion research.
	Since the merger of the Home Office Identity Cards Programme and the UK Passport Service to create the Identity and Passport Service on 1 April 2006, projects to deliver passports including facial images and fingerprints, identity cards and other improvements have been necessarily combined. As much of the technology and operational processes needed to implement identity cards is also required for the implementation of these new passports, this is the most cost-effective way to deliver these initiatives.
	Much of the work conducted by Identity and Passport Service cannot be categorised, both financially and operationally, as contributing towards either the introduction of passports with facial images and fingerprints or identity cards alone. The work is accounted for as future development projects which in the 2006-07 financial year amounted to 30.9 million.
	The cost of external consultancy and contracted staff allocated to these projects for that year was 21.4 million.
	The latest six monthly Identity Cards Scheme Cost Report, published on 8 November 2007, sets out those elements of the cost estimates that relate specifically to passports, those specific to identity cards and those that are common to both. The cost of registering individuals for passports and ID cards is included in common costs because the same technology infrastructure and business processes will be used. In many cases, the same application will result in the issue of both a passport and an ID card.
	The latest Cost Report may be found at:
	http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity/publications-legislative.asp
	I would refer the hon. Member to that report.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she will reply to the letter of 28 November 2007 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Nigel Morrison.

Jacqui Smith: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 21 January 2008.

Members: Correspondence

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she will reply to Question 171109 on the regulation of wheel clamping tabled on 29 November 2007 by the right hon. Member for East Yorkshire.

Vernon Coaker: I replied to the hon. Member on 29 January 2008,  Official Report, column 210W.

Passports: Interviews

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people who do not speak English as a first language  (a) applied for a passport and  (b) were granted an interview at a passport interview centre in each month since interviews commenced.

Meg Hillier: In the passport application process, the Identity and Passport Service does not distinguish between applicants whose first language is either English or one of another country.

Passports: Interviews

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people under the age of 18 years have been interviewed at passport interview centres since interviews for passport applications were introduced.

Meg Hillier: Since 9 July 2007, 2,475 people aged 16 and 17 years applying for a first adult passport have had a completed interview.

Personal Records

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration she has given to the merits of issuing one identity number to each citizen shared across the public sector.

Meg Hillier: Section 2(5) of the Identity Cards Act 2006 requires that a unique number, the National Identity Registration Number, is given to each individual who is registered on the National Identity Register and issued with an ID card.
	Subject to parliamentary approval and regulations it would then be possible for the National Identity Registration Number to become used as a general identifier, in accordance with the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Police Stations

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many police stations  (a) opened and  (b) closed in London in each of the last five years, broken down by borough;
	(2)  what police station closures are currently planned in each London borough.

Tony McNulty: The management of the police estate and allocation of resources are matters for each police authority and the chief officer, who are responsible for assessing local needs.

Police: Finance

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which events in London the Government have  (a) part and  (b) fully funded the policing of in each of the last 10 years.

Tony McNulty: The Government have made a major contribution to the cost of policing events in London over the past 10 years in the form of general grant, specific grants and the special payment to the Metropolitan Police Service for its capital city functions. In addition to this the Government have provided special grant on four occasions in the last 10 years as detailed in the following table.
	
		
			  Special grant paid to the Metropolitan Police in the last 10 years 
			   Event  Special g rant ( million) 
			 2000-01 May Day 1,000 
			 2001-02 Fuel Dumps Refurbishments 1,000 
			 2005-06 London Bombings 30,000 
			 2006-07 Operation Overt 2,959

Police: Mergers

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how much has been reimbursed to date to each police force for costs incurred over the police force merger consultations; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  how much has been pledged to be reimbursed to each police force from the costs of police force merger consultations; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  what the full cost of the police force merger consultations was  (a) to her Department and  (b) to each police force; and if she will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Between September 2005 and July 2006, the Home Office spent approximately 400,000 on staff costs (representing a team of permanent, temporary and seconded staff averaging 10 people during this period), approximately 20,000 on legal costs and approximately 800,000 on consultancy for assessing and refining the police structures business cases. Other Home Office officials and special advisers made contributions to work on police restructuring as part of routine business and those costs could not be identified separately. Information on the full costs incurred by police forces on this work is not available. However, all police authorities were invited to submit claims for the additional costs incurred in the early preparations for police force mergers. On 30 October 2006, I announced in a written statement to Parliament the amounts to be offered towards those costs amounting to 3,997,200 in total. The amounts offered to each police authority are set out in the following table. Payment of these contributions was dependent on confirmation being received from each police authority that their claims had been made in accordance with the terms of the invitation. These payments have been made to all police authorities to whom the offers were made(1).
	(1) Except for Humberside Police Authority and North Yorkshire Police Authority whose confirmations have not been received.
	
		
			  Offers of payment towards additional costs incurred on the preparations for police force mergers 
			  Police authority  Payment offered  () 
			 Bedfordshire 23,430 
			 Cambridgeshire 100,000 
			 Cheshire 100,000 
			 Cleveland 100,000 
			 Cumbria 271,000 
			 Derbyshire 35,782 
			 Dorset (for the five South West forces) 140,836 
			 Durham 67,155 
			 Dyfed-Powys 100,000 
			 Essex 100,000 
			 GMP 75,810 
			 Gwent 96,467 
			 Hampshire 11,495 
			 Hertfordshire 100,000 
			 Humberside 100,000 
			 Kent 100,000 
			 Lancashire 725,000 
			 Leicestershire 37,232 
			 Lincolnshire 287,600 
			 Merseyside 100,000 
			 Norfolk 100,000 
			 North Wales 100,000 
			 North Yorkshire 100,000 
			 Northamptonshire 85,800 
			 Northumbria 38,021 
			 Nottinghamshire 46,200 
			 South Wales 100,000 
			 South Yorkshire 30,652 
			 Staffordshire 56,317 
			 Suffolk 45,483 
			 Surrey 100,000 
			 Sussex 100,000 
			 Thames Valley 33,860 
			 Warwickshire 100,000 
			 West Mercia 89,061 
			 West Midlands 100,000 
			 West Yorkshire 100,000 
			 Total 3,997,200

Police: South Tyneside

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent on policing in  (a) South Tyneside,  (b) the north-east and  (c) England in each year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: Northumbria Police Authority has responsibility for policing South Tyneside. Figures for South Tyneside alone are not available.
	Information on Northumbria and the north-east are set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Total gross revenue expenditure for Northumbria, the north-east and England from 1997-98 to 2007-08 
			   million 
			   Northumbria  North  E ast( 1)  England 
			 1997-98 200.7 355.8 6,817.5 
			 1998-99 213.4 376.3 7,074.3 
			 1999-2000 220.3 392.5 7,410.2 
			 2000-01 226.1 404.1 7,886.5 
			 2001-02 242.1 441.2 8,514.1 
			 2002-03 249.0 456.0 8,917.7 
			 2003-04 256.3 486.4 9,649.3 
			 2004-05 279.1 522.4 10,910.9 
			 2005-06 307.4 564.2 11,749.2 
			 2006-07 326.6 608.0 12,578.5 
			 2007-08(2) 317.7 585.9 11,957.6 
			 (1) North-east region consists of Northumbria, Cleveland and Durham. (2) CIPFA estimated force revenue expenditure intentions in 2007-08.  Source: CIFPA police statistics actuals for 1997-98 to 2006-07 and estimates for 2007-08.

Police: Telephone Services

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her most recent estimate is of the revenue received from customers phoning on telephone numbers beginning 08 by police forces in the last five financial years.

Tony McNulty: This information is not collected centrally.

Proceeds of Crime

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the total operational cost of the suspicious activity reports regime has been since it was created; and how much was spent on capital establishment costs;
	(2)  what the total operational cost of the suspicious activity reports regime has been to the Government in the past 12 months.

Jacqui Smith: Suspicious activity reports (SARs) are submitted to the UK Financial Intelligence Unit (UKFIU) in the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA). 12,792.502 has been spent on the operation of the UK Financial Intelligence Unit (UKFIU) since April 2006, when the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) assumed responsibility for the UKFIU. In 2007 7,305,511 was spent on the operation of the UKFIU. This includes the running costs of the SARs transformation project. This is not contained within the FIU, but is an IT-enabled business change project entirely focused on improving the SARs regime. In addition, the overhead charge associated with running estates and IT for the UKFIU is currently around 1,200,000 per year.

Proceeds of Crime

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been collected through the suspicious activity reports regime since its creation.

Jacqui Smith: SARs make a contribution to a range of outcomes including asset recovery but also harm reduction, the building of intelligence on criminals and terrorists, and criminal convictions. In relation to terrorism, the information contained in SARs has been used to assist in the prevention of further terrorist activity, through being linked to ongoing inquiries, and regularly adds valuable new information.
	Because the information contained in SARs is one of many inputs to these results it is not possible to quantify the value of these in terms of amounts of criminal assets recovered. Nor would this cover the full range of benefits.

Racial Violence

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 29 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 662-64W, on racial violence, how many and what percentage of those incidents resulted in a conviction.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 10 December 200 7
	 The statistics provided in the previous answer related to all racially or religiously aggravated offences recorded by the police. The police data (i.e. offences recorded) are based on the number of crimes recorded in each financial year. Convictions data are based on the number of offender convictions and are published on a calendar year basis. Convictions figures are counts of offenders classified by their principal offence. For these reasons the two datasets are not directly comparable.
	Information on the number of defendants found guilty at all courts for racially aggravated violence offences has been provided in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of offenders found guilty at all courts for offences of racially aggravated violence, by police force area, England and Wales 2002-06( 1,2) 
			  Police force area  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Avon and Somerset 45 69 80 98 107 
			 Bedfordshire 12 24 20 32 42 
			 Cambridgeshire 32 24 38 50 56 
			 Cheshire 29 42 52 66 92 
			 City of London 3 10 7 12 13 
			 Cleveland 9 24 41 46 67 
			 Cumbria 13 19 28 40 46 
			 Derbyshire 40 48 58 75 79 
			 Devon and Cornwall 27 65 60 66 92 
			 Dorset 12 14 23 28 46 
			 Durham 23 30 43 59 65 
			 Essex 19 23 51 92 108 
			 Gloucestershire 22 21 34 25 44 
			 Greater Manchester 180 261 298 367 444 
			 Hampshire 88 96 139 162 167 
			 Hertfordshire 32 37 45 59 117 
			 Humberside 30 58 53 64 56 
			 Kent 10 16 7 15 12 
			 Lancashire 106 143 168 198 295 
			 Leicestershire 77 106 100 147 149 
			 Lincolnshire 12 19 26 35 39 
			 Merseyside 48 72 102 110 162 
			 Metropolitan Police 440 503 642 764 880 
			 Norfolk 19 32 43 47 54 
			 North Yorkshire 16 16 30 36 52 
			 Northamptonshire 3 5 4 10 4 
			 Northumbria 86 106 112 129 135 
			 Nottinghamshire 71 82 95 107 108 
			 South Yorkshire 50 54 56 64 114 
			 Staffordshire 57 62 68 56 77 
			 Suffolk 20 24 40 39 58 
			 Surrey 5 14 25 40 61 
			 Sussex 35 57 58 73 121 
			 Thames Valley 49 69 69 86 137 
			 Warwickshire 27 16 20 38 91 
			 West Mercia 52 75 81 94 126 
			 West Midlands 229 257 319 309 371 
			 West Yorkshire 97 109 149 174 176 
			 Wiltshire 18 28 22 38 45 
			 Dyfed-Powys 26 29 19 17 32 
			 Gwent 31 25 29 30 53 
			 North Wales 10 34 37 50 75 
			 South Wales 62 79 121 113 98 
			 Total 2,272 2,897 3,512 4,160 5,166 
			 (1) These data are provided on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police forces and courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source: RDSCourt proceedings databaseOffice for Criminal Justice ReformMinistry of Justice

Robbery: Children

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many robberies were committed by children in  (a) the East of England and  (b) Suffolk in each of the last five years.

Vernon Coaker: The information requested is not collected centrally. From the information collected on recorded crime it is not possible to identify the age of the offender.

Theft: Bicycles and Cars

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many thefts of  (a) bicycles and  (b) motor cars were reported in each police force area in England in each year since 2001;
	(2)  how many thefts from a motor car were reported in each police force area in England in each year since 2001;
	(3)  how many thefts of  (a) bicycles and  (b) motor cars there were from railway stations in each police force area in England in each year since 2001.

Tony McNulty: The available information is given in the following tables. Information on thefts of bicycles and motor cars from railway stations is not collected centrally.
	
		
			  Table 1: Offences of theft of a pedal cycle recorded by the police in England 
			  Number of offences 
			   2001-02  2002-03( 1)  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Avon and Somerset 3,555 3,090 3,043 3,713 4,131 4,311 
			 Bedfordshire 870 719 898 881 1,073 965 
			 Cambridgeshire 4,171 3,975 4,374 4,528 4,442 4,121 
			 Cheshire 1,666 1,551 1,746 1,565 1,731 1,795 
			 Cleveland 1,460 1,028 1,116 1,237 1,255 1,132 
			 Cumbria 691 606 802 850 862 780 
			 Derbyshire 1,505 1,301 1,358 1,131 1,156 1,065 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1,563 1,443 1,712 1,825 1,792 1,876 
			 Dorset 1,522 1,624 1,843 1,602 1,555 1,806 
			 Durham 867 726 827 815 802 815 
			 Essex 2,299 2,100 2,462 2,775 2,875 2,676 
			 Gloucestershire 1,691 1,588 1,653 1,322 1,577 1,516 
			 Greater Manchester 5,007 4,598 4,220 4,198 4,731 4,597 
			 Hampshire 4,455 4,253 4,545 4,869 5,843 5,839 
			 Hertfordshire 1,339 1,397 1,484 1,656 1,767 1,826 
			 Humberside 4,330 3,736 3,777 3,195 3,281 2,978 
			 Kent 1,821 1,609 1,829 2,020 1,884 1,888 
			 Lancashire 2,702 2,505 2,525 2,594 2,694 2,784 
			 Leicestershire 2,132 1,754 1,869 1,879 1,893 1,932 
			 Lincolnshire 1,750 1,810 1,623 1,766 1,736 1,604 
			 London, City of 334 427 355 319 336 314 
			 Merseyside 1,678 1,445 1,569 1,673 1,726 1,854 
			 Metropolitan Police 14,340 15,812 19,261 19,317 21,238 18,648 
			 Norfolk 1,926 1,888 2,108 1,972 2,019 1,877 
			 Northamptonshire 1,146 1,053 1,157 1,318 1,152 1,202 
			 Northumbria 2,468 2,387 2,644 2,405 2,362 2,338 
			 North Yorkshire 2,442 2,331 2,563 1,991 2,041 2,020 
			 Nottinghamshire 3,555 2,608 2,744 2,601 2,876 3,026 
			 South Yorkshire 1,891 1,787 1,346 1,421 1,725 1,690 
			 Staffordshire 1,667 1,235 1,285 1,232 1,270 1,319 
			 Suffolk 1,728 1,439 1,457 1,653 1,828 1,759 
			 Surrey 1,301 1,085 1,297 1,331 1,463 1,679 
			 Sussex 2,959 2,329 2,683 2,811 3,165 3,097 
			 Thames Valley 5,346 5,264 5,547 5,879 5,994 5,688 
			 Warwickshire 1,060 1,001 1,076 878 1,005 1,028 
			 West Mercia 1,903 1,484 1,559 1,596 1,592 1,577 
			 West Midlands 4,004 3,301 3,229 2,793 3,132 3,233 
			 West Yorkshire 2,673 2,250 2,374 2,175 2,521 2,495 
			 Wiltshire 1,224 1,050 1,001 1,074 1,253 1,335 
			
			 England 99,041 91,589 98,961 98,860 105,778 102,485 
			 (1) The National Crime Recording standard was introduced on 1 April 2002. Figures before and after that date are not directly comparable. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Offences of theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle recorded by the police in England 
			  Number of offences 
			   2001-02  2002-03( 1)  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Avon and Somerset 12,181 11,983 8,705 7,070 6,280 6,108 
			 Bedfordshire 3,873 3,111 2,834 1,965 2,185 1,882 
			 Cambridgeshire 2,941 3,638 3,307 2,720 2,265 2,347 
			 Cheshire 4,625 4,503 3,994 3,599 3,503 2,935 
			 Cleveland 4,797 4,468 4,463 3,616 2,901 2,256 
			 Cumbria 1,115 1,244 1,060 1,101 1,087 948 
			 Derbyshire 3,832 4,062 3,571 2,785 2,693 2,525 
			 Devon and Cornwall 3,392 3,907 3,396 3,256 3,058 3,025 
			 Dorset 2,499 2,276 2,199 1,767 1,499 1,395 
			 Durham 2,712 2,423 2,369 2,088 2,134 1,889 
			 Essex 7,505 7,664 7,283 6,419 6,253 5,629 
			 Gloucestershire 1,828 1,977 2,264 1,949 1,706 1,451 
			 Greater Manchester 31,969 26,252 21,870 18,794 17,001 14,877 
			 Hampshire 6,506 6,278 5,822 4,871 4,394 4,726 
			 Hertfordshire 3,810 4,287 4,323 3,445 3,361 2,821 
			 Humberside 6,501 7,607 7,619 6,096 4,857 4,067 
			 Kent 7,237 7,138 6,749 6,181 6,438 5,650 
			 Lancashire 6,154 5,585 5,231 4,514 3,849 3,738 
			 Leicestershire 4,604 4,576 3,986 3,506 2,566 2,772 
			 Lincolnshire 1,885 2,101 1,932 1,833 1,690 1,608 
			 London, City of 380 334 226 97 74 75 
			 Merseyside 15,081 13,081 11,403 9,354 7,161 6,198 
			 Metropolitan Police 62,112 58,405 55,158 48,026 43,463 37,599 
			 Norfolk 1,888 2,288 2,173 1,851 1,577 1,468 
			 Northamptonshire 3,758 3,817 3,642 3,415 2,896 2,731 
			 Northumbria 7,837 6,981 6,445 5,189 4,748 3,883 
			 North Yorkshire 2,349 2,623 2,672 2,097 2,154 1,585 
			 Nottinghamshire 7,714 8,782 8,014 6,284 4,798 4,609 
			 South Yorkshire 8,294 10,241 9,621 8,005 7,648 7,481 
			 Staffordshire 5,637 4,463 4,209 3,470 3,411 3,235 
			 Suffolk 1,693 1,606 1,459 1,645 1,264 1,408 
			 Surrey 2,881 3,110 2,947 2,413 2,229 2,205 
			 Sussex 5,442 5,992 5,313 4,379 3,626 3,353 
			 Thames Valley 10,255 9,111 8,753 7,651 6,829 6,384 
			 Warwickshire 2,118 2,282 2,125 1,919 1,751 1,696 
			 West Mercia 3,336 3,371 3,432 3,179 2,629 2,340 
			 West Midlands 25,385 23,598 23,217 17,091 14,482 12,249 
			 West Yorkshire 23,765 22,867 19,473 13,961 10,455 9,469 
			 Wiltshire 1,267 1,308 1,265 1,328 1,031 1,024 
			
			 England 311,158 299,340 274,524 228,929 201 ,946 181,641 
			 (1) The National crime Recording standard was introduced on 1 April 2002. Figures before and after that date are not directly comparable. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Offences of theft from a vehicle recorded by the police in England 
			  Number of offences 
			   2001-02  2002-031  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Avon and Somerset 28,610 24,266 20,303 16,936 15,629 15,942 
			 Bedfordshire 8,852 8,323 7,337 6,448 6,735 6,949 
			 Cambridgeshire 9,804 9,707 7,365 6,449 6,080 6,429 
			 Cheshire 8,820 9,400 8,850 8,011 8,181 7,370 
			 Cleveland 9,454 9,826 8,030 6,510 6,035 5,598 
			 Cumbria 3,368 3,509 3,054 2,840 2,091 1,897 
			 Derbyshire 12,471 12,730 10,787 7,418 7,174 7,490 
			 Devon and Cornwall 14,157 15,470 13,205 11,734 10,786 10,380 
			 Dorset 7,310 7,141 6,404 4,813 5,144 3,863 
			 Durham 5,086 5,023 4,704 3,415 3,952 4,240 
			 Essex 13,356 13,906 13,757 12,334 13,781 12,736 
			 Gloucestershire 6,312 5,763 6,143 4,810 3,992 3,812 
			 Greater Manchester 42,806 41,022 37,414 31,178 35,802 39,189 
			 Hampshire 15,353 15,985 14,947 11,668 13,446 15,140 
			 Hertfordshire 10,453 12,315 11,916 9,664 9,145 8,376 
			 Humberside 14,843 14,881 13,810 11,187 10,748 9,694 
			 Kent 13,361 13,676 12,492 11,713 12,387 11,772 
			 Lancashire 14,861 13,289 11,468 10,822 10,521 10,458 
			 Leicestershire 11,749 11,410 10,030 7,868 7,413 7,748 
			 Lincolnshire 4,897 5,756 4,571 4,074 4,115 3,810 
			 London, City of 511 360 357 156 178 156 
			 Merseyside 14,901 14,973 14,961 13,893 14,997 12,806 
			 Metropolitan Police 112,146 114,987 103,899 88,164 94,309 92,137 
			 Norfolk 7,909 8,451 6,223 4,440 3,812 4,030 
			 Northamptonshire 7,577 8,051 9,069 7,161 6,267 6,356 
			 Northumbria 12,573 13,283 11,644 10,836 10,846 9,345 
			 North Yorkshire 5,822 6,947 6,844 4,379 4,589 4,635 
			 Nottinghamshire 20,818 22,227 20,303 16,476 17,741 15,965 
			 South Yorkshire 20,427 20,948 19,573 16,199 17,962 17,704 
			 Staffordshire 12,314 10,094 9,576 7,800 7,646 7,682 
			 Suffolk 5,222 4,676 4,323 3,818 4,017 3,990 
			 Surrey 6,513 6,879 6,973 6,830 6,793 7,385 
			 Sussex 15,798 15,116 13,463 10,787 9,856 9,220 
			 Thames Valley 31,525 28,518 26,710 23,385 22,426 22,119 
			 Warwickshire 5,899 6,195 5,131 4,725 4,520 5,200 
			 West Mercia 9,725 9,705 8,702 7,764 7,123 6,525 
			 West Midlands 38,239 37,240 33,894 25,380 24,910 27,082 
			 West Yorkshire 41,671 41,340 36,287 24,525 22,557 24,566 
			 Wiltshire 3,997 4,243 4,185 3,617 3,318 3,676 
			
			 Total England 629,510 627,631 568,704 470,227 477,024 473,472 
			 (1) The National Crime Recording standard was introduced on 1 April 2002. Figures before and after that date are not directly comparable.

Vetting

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the variations in rates charged by intermediary bodies to individuals and small organisations for processing of Criminal Records Bureau checks; what assessment she has made of the effect of such charges on individuals and small organisations; and what assessment of the effect was made before the entry into force of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the effect on the Criminal Records Bureau application system of the entry into force of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006; and what assessment she has made of the effects of these changes on  (a) processing time and  (b) financial efficiency of (i) the Criminal Records Bureau and (ii) applicants or employers using intermediary bodies.

Meg Hillier: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) has been an integral part of the team tasked with designing the new processes associated with the requirements of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (SVG Act) to ensure that impacts on the disclosure service are minimised as far as possible.
	There should be no adverse impact on the processing time of standard or enhanced disclosures as a result of the new processes, and the CRB is taking the opportunity afforded by the changes prompted by the SVG Act to explore how to leverage further efficiency improvements in its existing processes. The costs to CRB of operating the new elements of the processes associated with the SVG Act will be covered by the additional application fees levied under Act.
	There is no legal requirement to assess the level of charge between intermediary bodies, individuals and small organisations for the processing of checks, which is a commercial matter between the intermediary body and its customers. However, a regulatory impact assessment for the Act was published in 2006 and includes details of the impact on small firms, references to how we propose to balance the rights of individual employees with those of vulnerable groups, and a range of references to the impact on other bodies such as regulators, the voluntary sector, local government bodies and the police.

Vetting: EC Action

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects the discussions between the Criminal Records Bureau and the Association of Chief Police Officers on seeking access to  (a) European Union Member States' and  (b) other foreign countries' criminal conviction data to reach conclusions; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: The Criminal Records Bureau contacted all member states in 2007 to establish whether there was an opportunity to enter into agreements to exchange data for employment vetting purposes where national laws allowed. To date there have been positive responses from some member states the Republic of Ireland, France, Estonia and Poland. Australia has also indicated a willingness to share information.
	A Home Office-chaired Steering Group has been established to oversee this project and representatives include the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Criminal Records Bureau.
	We remain committed to improving access to overseas criminal convictions data. Even where another jurisdiction is willing to exchange such information, detailed work will still be needed with each overseas jurisdiction on a range of issues, including forming an understanding of offence descriptions which may differ from those used in UK jurisdictions and establishing exchange arrangements where criminal records data are not held centrally in the overseas jurisdiction, or are not held electronically.

Victim Support Schemes: Metropolitan Police

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department is taking to ensure improvement in levels of victim satisfaction with the service provided by the Metropolitan Police.

Tony McNulty: A key aim of the Government's Citizen Focused Policing agenda is to support all forces, including the Metropolitan police, in improving the service they provide to victims. These include the development of minimum service standards, such as the Quality of Service Commitment, and the creation of new statutory rights for victims under a code of practice for victims of crime.
	The effective use of performance information is also crucial, with all forces conducting local surveys to assess victim satisfaction. This performance information submitted by forces to the Home Office on a quarterly basis, is used to help drive performance improvements.
	Furthermore, the rollout of Neighbourhood Policing focuses on improving public confidence and satisfaction in the police service by ensuring the needs of individuals and communities are considered and routinely reflected in day to day policing activity.

Written Questions

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to answer written question numbers 162090 and 162091, tabled on 7 November 2007 by the hon. Member for Ceredigion, on economic migrants.

Tony McNulty: I replied to the hon. Member on 11 December 2007,  Official Report, columns 487-88W.

TREASURY

Benzodiazepines: Misuse

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many drug misuse deaths related to benzodiazepines have occurred in  (a) Scotland,  (b) Northern Ireland and  (c) Wales in each year since 1999.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 31 January 2008
	 The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 4 February 2008:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many drug misuse deaths related to benzodiazepines have occurred in (a) Scotland, (b) Northern Ireland and (c) Wales in each year since 1999. (183071)
	The most recent year for which figures are available is 2006. The table below shows the number of deaths for which the underlying cause was drug-related poisoning, and where benzodiazepines were mentioned on the death record, alone or with other substances. All such deaths are defined by ONS as drug misuse deaths. Figures are provided for usual residents of Wales for the years 1999 to 2006.
	The General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) are responsible for figures for their respective countries.
	
		
			  Deaths from drug-related poisoning( 1)  where benzodiazepines were mentioned on the death record, Wales,( 2)  1999 to 2006( 3) 
			   Total mentions  Mentions without other drugs 
			 1999 17 2 
			 2000 14 4 
			 2001 23 4 
			 2002 13 3 
			 2003 25 4 
			 2004 14 3 
			 2005 12 1 
			 2006 18 6 
			 (1) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes 292, 303, 305.2-305,9, E850-E858, E950.0-E950.5, E980.0-E980.5 and E962.0 for the years 1999 and 2000 and Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes F11-F16, F18-F19, X40-X44, X60-X64, X85 and YIO-YI4 from 2001 onwards. These deaths were selected where benzodiazepines were mentioned on the death record. (2) Deaths of usual residents of Wales. (3) Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year.

Business

Mark Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's planned expenditure on business support, promotion of enterprise and economic development is for each year from 2007-08 to 2010-11; and which elements of this expenditure are planned to be funded through regional development agencies' single pot.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 15 January 2008
	The RDAs are funded by six Departments including, the Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills, UK Trade and Investment, Communities and Local Government, Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Together these provide 2.3 billion in 2007-08, 2.2 billion in 2008-09, 2.2 billion in 2009-10 and 2.1 billion in 2010-11 to the RDAs' single budget. The RDAs detailed proposals for business support covering the next three years will be set out in their corporate plans which will be published in the spring.

Climate Change

Greg Knight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many departmental  (a) Ministers,  (b) civil servants and  (c) consultants, contractors or secondees working full-time or part-time for his Department attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 16 January 2008
	None. However, two Treasury officials travelled to Indonesia for a meeting of Finance Ministries on climate change, convened by the Indonesian Minister of Finance.

Crown Estate Commissioners: Advertising

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Crown Estate spent on advertising in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Eagle: The only paid advertising that the Crown Estate undertakes is in relation to recruitment. The information available is in the table:
	
		
			   000 
			 2006-07 235 
			 2005-06 233 
			 2004-05 194 
			 2003-04 61 
			 2002-03 73 
			 2001-02 163 
			 2000-01 87 
			 1999-2000 77 
			 1998-99 79

Crown Estate Commissioners: Scotland

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Crown Estate received from rents paid by shellfish farmers in  (a) Orkney,  (b) Shetland,  (c) Scotland and  (d) the UK in each of the last five years.

Angela Eagle: The information requested is given in the table:
	
		
			  000 
			   2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Orkney 1.1 0.7 3 1 2.5 
			 Shetland 15 20 31 35 50 
			 Scotland 86 79 96 146 131 
			 UK 100 105 114 171 156

Crown Estate Commissioners: Scotland

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many aquaculture projects paid rent to the Crown Estate in Orkney and Shetland in each of the last five years; and what income was generated from such rents in each year.

Angela Eagle: The information available is given in the table:
	
		
			   Orkney  Shetland 
			   000  Number of projects  000  Number of projects 
			 2003-04 51 25 598 158 
			 2004-05 111 25 885 172 
			 2005-06 132 28 518 187 
			 2006-07 91 28 518 189

Crown Estate Commissioners: Scotland

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate the Crown Estate made of the value of the seabed surrounding the Orkney and Shetland Isles in each of the last three years.

Angela Eagle: An estimate of the value of the seabed surrounding Orkney and Shetland is given in the table:
	
		
			million 
			 2004-05 3.7 
			 2005-06 3.7 
			 2006-07 3.7

Departmental Marketing

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what products featuring departmental or Government branding were procured by  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies in each of the last five years.

Angela Eagle: The Chancellor's Department and its agencies have procured a number of Government and departmental branded products over the last five years including pens, mugs, carrier bags, mouse mats in relation to agency re-branding, awareness campaigns and conferences. However, it is not possible to provide comprehensive details as these could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Redundancy

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost of redundancies was to his Department in each month since 30 June 2006.

Angela Eagle: I refer to the answer given to the hon. Member on 7 January 2008,  Official Report, column 313W. The cost of redundancies in 2006-07 was 1,140,000. Monthly data could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Wines

Michael Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that English wine is served exclusively or at the request of guests at meals, parties and receptions hosted by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: I am pleased that the changes secured by the UK in negotiating the new CAP wine regime will enable the UK wine production sector to continue the rapid expansion seen in recent years in response to strong consumer demand.
	All public procurement procedures must comply with the EC Treaty. The key principles of the treaty, from a public procurement point of view, are the free movement of goods and services, and non-discrimination on the grounds of nationality.
	English wines, however, can be supplied upon request.

Employment

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were  (a) employed (i) full-time and (ii) part-time and  (b) unemployed in (A) City of York constituency, (B) City of York Council area, (C) Yorkshire and the Humber region and (D) the United Kingdom (1) at the latest date for which figures are available and (2) at the same date in each of the previous 10 years.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 4 February 2008:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about how many people were (a) employed (i) full-time (ii) part time and (b) unemployed in (A) City of York constituency, (B) City of York council area, (C) Yorkshire and The Humber and (D) the United Kingdom (1) at the latest date for which figures are available and (2) at the same date in each of the previous 10 years. I am replying in her absence. (183405)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles employment statistics for local areas from the annual Labour Force Survey (LFS) and the Annual Population Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions.
	Table 1 attached, shows the number of people, aged 16 and over, resident in the City of York constituency, who were in full-time and part-time employment, for the 12 months ending in February from 1997 to 2004 from the annual LFS and for the 12 months ending in March from 2005 to 2007, and for the latest period, the 12 months ending in June 2007, from APS. The table also shows corresponding data for residents of the City of York Unitary Authority, Yorkshire and The Humber and Great Britain.
	For unitary and local authorities, the ONS produces estimates of total unemployment, following ILO definitions, from a statistical model. Annual estimates for other areas are compiled from the annual LFS and APS following ILO definitions.
	Table 2 attached, shows the number of people, aged 16 and over, resident in the City of York constituency, who were unemployed, for the 12 months ending in February from 1997 to 2004 from the annual LFS and for the 12 months ending in March from 2005 to 2007, and for the latest period, the 12 months ending in June 2007, from APS. The table also shows corresponding data for residents of the City of York Unitary Authority, Yorkshire and The Humber and Great Britain. Corresponding headline unemployment rates, for persons of working age (males aged 16 to 64 and females aged 16 to 59), are also provided. The rates allow changes to be seen in the context of changing population numbers.
	As these estimates are for a subset of the population in small geographical areas, they are based on small sample sizes, and are therefore subject to large margins of uncertainty. In this case, for the City of York constituency and the City of York Unitary Authority, the sample sizes are not sufficient to give an accurate estimate of even the direction of the change over the period.
	ONS also compiles statistics for local areas of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA). Table 3, attached, shows the annual average number of people, resident in the City of York constituency, the City of York Unitary Authority, Yorkshire and The Humber and the United Kingdom, claiming JSA from 1997 to 2007. The number of claimants is also shown as a percentage of the resident working age population.
	
		
			  Table 1: Full-time and part-time employment; city of York constituency, city of York unitary authority, Yorkshire and the Humber and Great Britain 
			  In employment (Thousand) 
			   City of York constituency  City of York unitary authority  Yorkshire and the Humber  Great Britain 
			  12 months ending  Full-time  Part-time  Total  Full-time  Part-time  Total  Full-time  Part-time  Total  Full-time  Part-time  Total 
			 February 1997 32 12 44 59 23 82 1,590 560 2,151 18,974 6,379 25,355 
			 February 1998 31 14 45 57 20 77 1,594 576 2,170 19,224 6,448 25,678 
			 February 1999 33 15 48 59 24 83 1,616 595 2,212 19,454 6,520 25,981 
			 February 2000 34 12 45 61 22 83 1,620 591 2,211 19,600 6,610 26,218 
			 February 2001 36 15 51 64 29 93 1,634 624 2,259 19,743 6,739 26,492 
			 February 2002 36 15 51 66 27 93 1,658 606 2,265 19,957 6,767 26,734 
			 February 2003 37 16 54 65 28 93 1,664 616 2,280 19,931 6,902 26,848 
			 February 2004 37 16 53 65 27 92 1,671 641 2,312 19,971 7,078 27,063 
			 March 2005 39 16 55 65 27 92 1,696 623 2,320 20,274 7,019 27,313 
			 March 2006 37 15 52 67 26 93 1,691 630 2,322 20,310 7,046 27,371 
			 March 2007 36 14 50 65 24 90 1,684 560 2,245 20,092 6,313 26,405 
			 June 2007 32 14 46 66 28 94 1,702 610 2,312 20,456 7,115 27,571 
			  Notes: 1. Data subject to sampling variability. 2. Changes in the estimates over time should be treated with particular caution.  Source: Annual Labour Force Survey; Annual Population Survey. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Unemployed aged 16 and over, resident in the city of York constituency, city of York unitary authority, Yorkshire and the Humber and Great Britain 
			  Thousand 
			   City of York constituency  City of York unitary authority  Yorkshire and the Humber  Great Britain 
			  12 months ending  Level( 1)  Rate( 2)  (Percentage)  Level( 3)  Rate( 2, 3)  (Percentage)  Level( 1)  Rate( 2)  (Percentage)  Level( 1)  Rate( 2)  (Percentage) 
			 February 1997 4 8.0 5 5.9 198 8.4 2,136 7.8 
			 February 1998 4 7.3 5 5.7 172 7.3 1,851 6.7 
			 February 1999 3 6.4 5 5.2 164 6.9 1,673 6.1 
			 February 2000 2 5.2 4 4.5 152 6.4 1,641 5.9 
			 February 2001 3 4.9 4 4.0 140 5.9 1,468 5.3 
			 February 2002 2 4.3 3 3.6 121 5.1 1,404 5.0 
			 February 2003 2 3.9 3 3.4 119 5.0 1,450 5.1 
			 February 2004 3 4.7 4 3.7 121 5.0 1,399 4.9 
			 March 2005 2 3.1 3 2.8 105 4.3 1,343 4.7 
			 March 2006 2 3.9 3 3.2 124 5.1 1,445 5.0 
			 March 2007 4 7.3 4 4.3 134 5.6 1,546 5.3 
			 June 2007 4 7.1 4 4.2 135 5.5 1,528 5.2 
			 (1) Annual Labour Force Survey and Annual Population Survey data subject to sampling variability. (2) Unemployed as a percentage of the economically active population. (3) Model-based estimates subject to random variability.  Note: Changes in the estimates overtime should be treated with particular caution.  Source: Annual Labour Force Survey; Annual Population Survey. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Annual average number of claimants of jobseeker's allowance and proportions of working age population for residents of the city of York parliamentary constituency, city of York unitary authority, Yorkshire and the Humber and the United Kingdom 
			   City of York constituency  City of York unitary authority  Yorkshire and the Humber  Great Britain 
			   Number of claimants  Proportion( 1)  (Percentage)  Number of claimants  Proportion( 1)  (Percentage)  Number of claimants  Proportion( 1)  (Percentage)  Number of claimants  Proportion( 1)  (Percentage) 
			 1996 4,053 6.1 5,182 4.8 191,830 6.4 2,122,245 6.0 
			 1997 3,002 4.5 3,786 3.5 151,995 5.1 1,602,442 4.5 
			 1998 2,425 3.7 3,042 2.8 134,892 4.5 1,362,340 3.8 
			 1999 2,190 3.3 2,762 2.5 124,675 4.1 1,263,001 3.5 
			 2000 1,895 2.9 2,367 2.1 108,459 3.6 1,102,257 3.0 
			 2001 1,676 2.5 2,120 1.9 97,453 3.2 982,998 2.7 
			 2002 1,480 2.2 1,838 1.6 90,091 2.9 958,759 2.6 
			 2003 1,437 2.2 1,808 1.6 84,995 2.8 945,894 2.6 
			 2004 1,342 2.0 1,706 1.4 74,512 2.4 866,144 2.3 
			 2005 1,331 2.0 1,689 1.4 77,306 2.5 874,417 2.3 
			 2006 1,654 2.5 2,107 1.8 88,667 2.8 956,732 2.6 
			 2007 1,455 2.2 1,857 1.5 82,049 2.6 872,959 2.3 
			 (1) Number of claimants expressed as a percentage of the resident working age population.  Source: Jobcentre Plus administrative data.

Excise Duties: Fuels

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria are applied by HM Revenue and Customs in assessing the composition of biogas fuel for the purposes of applying duty; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: Biogas, or methane reclaimed from landfill and other organic matter, meets the definition of natural road fuel gas in section 8(3)(a) of the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979, and is liable to duty at the rate of 13.70 pence per kilogram.
	Under the Fuel-testing Pilot Projects (Biogas Project) Regulations 2006, biogas produced from landfill matter under a specific pilot project is exempt from duty for an experimental period.

Group Corporate Services: Manpower

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the  (a) part-time and  (b) full-time equivalent permanent staff headcount was for Group Corporate Services in each year since 1998; what the (i) contractor and (ii) temporary staff headcount was over the same period; how much was spent on (A) agency staff and (B) consultants by Group Corporate Services in each such year; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The present Group Corporate Services (Group Shared Services) was formed on 1 April 2007 and include shared corporate services for HM Treasury and Office of Government Commerce (OGC).
	The figures for the previous years represent the headcount and cost of the HR, IS, Estates, Internal Audit and Finance functions of core HM Treasury only.
	Headcount and cost figures are available for year 2003 onwards as before this date they are not kept centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The same applies about agency staff and contractor headcount details.
	
		
			   Headcount (in FTE)  Spend on agency staff and consultants 
			   Full-time  Part-time  
			 2006-07 112.0 5.4 2,225,729 
			 2005-06 116.0 5.5 2,550,064 
			 2004-05 125.0 8.6 1,707,567 
			 2003-04 133.0 7.0 1,745,410 
		
	
	The increase of headcount in year 2007-08 is due to the merging of OGC's and HMT's corporate services to create a group shared service. As part of this around 70 staff from the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) transferred to the HM Treasury.
	The spend on agency/contractors in the current financial year (up to October 2007) is no higher than previous years and it is anticipated that it will be below the total spend of the previous year.

Human Papilloma Virus: Finance

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the Barnett consequentials for the rollout of human papilloma vaccines for women in Wales in 2008.

Yvette Cooper: Funding for the Welsh Assembly Government in 2007-08 was announced as part of the 2004 spending review and in 2008-09 as part of the 2007 comprehensive spending review. The Welsh Assembly Government received Barnett consequentials on the increases in spending for the Department of Health but the Welsh funding is on a block basis rather than disaggregated by specific spending streams such as funding for the rollout of accessing human papilloma vaccines for women.

Individual Savings Accounts

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many maxi ISAs were taken out by individual taxpayers in each of the last five financial years for which figures are available.

Angela Eagle: This information can be found in HMRC's published table 9.4 which provides details of subscriptions to ISAs by subscription type. A link can be found as follows.
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/isa/table9-4-by-year.htm

Leaseback Arrangements: Housing

Peter Viggers: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to require the Financial Services Authority to regulate sale-and-leaseback schemes on residential property.

Angela Eagle: Sale and rent back arrangements are property transactions that do not involve the provision of credit, and so fall outside the scope of the Financial Services Authority's mortgage regime.
	The Government are reviewing the evidence and will consider options to address any problems where appropriate.

Local Government: Pay

Michael Moore: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what proportion of  (a) all employees,  (b) full-time employees and  (c) part-time employees in (i) Scotland and (ii) each unitary local authority area in Scotland and the UK earned hourly rates (gross, excluding overtime) below (A) 8.05, (B) 6.05 and (C) 5.35 in the last period for which figures are available, broken down by gender.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply. The relevant table has been placed in the Library.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 4 February 2008:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many and what proportion of  (a) all employees,  (b) full-time employees and  (c) part-time employees in (i) Scotland and (ii) each unitary local authority area in Scotland and the UK earned hourly rates (gross, excluding overtime) below (A) 8.05, (B) 6.05 and (C) 5.35, broken down by gender in the last period for which figures are available. I am replying in her absence. (183317)
	The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) is carried out in April each year and is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. However, ASHE methodology cannot be used to provide estimates of the numbers of employees whose earnings is less than a specific amount, but can be used to provide estimates of percentage of employees in that category.
	Levels of earnings are estimated from ASHE and are provided for employees on adult rates of pay, whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. I attach a table for 2007, showing the percentage of UK, Scotland and Scotland unitary local authority area employees in the categories stated.

Local Government: Pay

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what percentage of  (a) all employees,  (b) full-time employees and  (c) part-time employees in (i) Scotland, (ii) each of the unitary local authority areas in Scotland and (iii) the United Kingdom had weekly earnings (gross, including overtime) below (A) 301.95, (B) 226.69 and (C) 200.63, broken down by sex.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply. The relevant table has been placed in the Library.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 4 February 2008:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many and what percentage of (a) all employees, (b) full-time employees and (c) part-time employees in (i) Scotland, (ii) each of the unitary local authority areas in Scotland and (iii) the United Kingdom had weekly earnings (gross, including overtime) below (A) 301.95, (B) 226.69 and (C) 200.63 for the categories, broken down by gender. I am replying in her absence. (183938)
	The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) is carried out in April each year and is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. However, ASHE methodology cannot be used to provide estimates of the numbers of employees whose earnings is less than a specific amount, but can be used to provide estimates of percentage of employees in that category.
	Levels of earnings are estimated from ASHE and are provided for employees on adult rates of pay, whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. I attach a table for 2007, showing the percentage of UK, Scotland and Scottish unitary local authority area employees in the categories stated.

Migrant Workers

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer of 19 October 2007,  Official Report, column 1353W, on migrant workers, in what economic sectors the 1.4 million additional foreign born workers of working age between 1997 and 2007 are working; and how many UK born individuals have gained a level 2 qualification in these sectors since 1997.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 18 December 2008
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell dated 4 February 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question about the economic sectors in which the 1.4 million additional foreign born workers of working age between 1997 and 2007 are working; and how many UK born individuals have gained a level 2 qualification in these sectors since 1997. (175385)
	The attached table firstly gives the change in number of working age foreign born workers in each industry sector. Secondly it provides the change in number of UK born workers who are qualified to at least NVQ Level 2 or equivalent, between the second quarter of 1997 and the second quarter of 2007.
	The data for analysing migrant workers comes from the labour force survey. The national statistics method for estimating the number of migrant workers employed in the UK is routinely based on the number of people at a given time who were born abroad, are of working age (16-64 for men, 16-59 for women), and in employment. This question has been answered on this basis.
	When interpreting the figures in the table, it is important to bear in mind that the labour force survey (LFS) is not designed to cover everyone who is present in the UK. The survey may undercount the numbers of people who were born overseas. The reasons are set out in the table footnote.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		
			  Working age population( 1) , in employment by industry sector and highest qualification level, by country of birth April to June 1997, 2007: United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Thousand 
			   Foreign-born  UK-born, qualified to at least NVQ Level 2 or equivalent 
			   1997  2007  Change  1997  2007  Change 
			 Agriculture, forestry and fishing 16 20 4 138 141 3 
			 Energy and water 12 27 16 171 219 48 
			 Manufacturing 302 415 113 2,211 1,856 -355 
			 Construction 81 181 100 1,045 1,228 183 
			 Distribution hotels and restaurants 418 664 246 1,725 2,087 363 
			 Transport and communication 126 252 126 606 782 176 
			 Finance and Business Services 330 642 312 1,963 2,596 633 
			 Education, health and public admin 475 859 384 3,466 4,980 1,514 
			 Other services 131 187 55 678 920 242 
			 Total(2) 1,904 3,269 1,364 12,035 14,843 2,808 
			 (1) Men aged 16-64 and women aged 16-59.  (2) Includes those who did not state their industry.   Note:  It should be noted that the above estimates: Exclude certain people who have been resident in the UK for less than six months. Exclude students in halls of residence who do not have a UK resident parent. Exclude people in most types of communal establishment, (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites etc.) Are grossed to population estimates that only include migrants staying 12 months or more. Are grossed to population estimates consistent with those published in spring 2003 which are significantly lower than the latest population estimates as used in the Labour Market Statistics.   Source:  ONS Labour Force Survey (LFS)

Money: Scotland

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to  (a) give the status of legal tender to banknotes issued by Scottish clearing banks and  (b) create a legal obligation for English retailers to accept such notes.

Angela Eagle: The Government have no plans to introduce such legislation. The acceptability of banknotes or other payment arrangements for transactions is a matter for the parties concerned to agree upon.

Population

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Government's official estimate of the population of the United Kingdom was in each year since 1980.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the reasonability of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 4 February 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your question asking what the Government's official estimate of the population of the United Kingdom was in each year since 1980. (178266)
	The attached Table 1 shows the population of the United Kingdom for the years requested.
	The latest population estimates available are mid-2006.
	
		
			  Table 1: Mid-year population estimates for the United Kingdom 
			   Thousand 
			 1980 56,330 
			 1981 56,357 
			 1982 56,291 
			 1983 56,316 
			 1984 56,409 
			 1985 56,554 
			 1986 56,684 
			 1987 56,804 
			 1988 56,916 
			 1989 57,076 
			 1990 57,237 
			 1991 57,439 
			 1992 57,585 
			 1993 57,714 
			 1994 57,862 
			 1995 58,025 
			 1996 58,164 
			 1997 58,314 
			 1998 58,475 
			 1999 58,684 
			 2000 58,886 
			 2001 59,113 
			 2002 59,323 
			 2003 59,557 
			 2004 59,846 
			 2005 60,238 
			 2006 60,587 
			  Sources:  1. Office for National Statistics.  2. General Register Office for Scotland and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.

Productivity

Don Foster: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the percentage productivity changes were for  (a) the tourism and leisure industry,  (b) the service industry and  (c) the UK economy in each year since 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 1 February 2008:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the percentage productivity changes were for (a) the tourism and leisure industry, (b) the service industry and (c) the UK economy in each year since 2002; and if he will make a statement. I am replying in her absence. (183922)
	The UK does not produce Productivity estimates for the tourism and leisure industry. The tables below show the growth rate for the service sector and the UK whole economy for each year from 2002 to 2006. Table A shows the growth for the service sector on an output per hour basis. Table B shows the growth for the UK whole economy on an output per worker basis.
	
		
			  Table A: service sector output per hour annual growth, 2002 to 2006 
			   Annual growth rate (percentage) 
			 2002 1.6 
			 2003 1.5 
			 2004 2.7 
			 2005 0.7 
			 2006 2.5 
		
	
	
		
			  Table B: UK whole economy output per worker annual growth, 2002 to 2006 
			   Annual growth rate (percentage) 
			 2002 1.0 
			 2003 1.9 
			 2004 2.2 
			 2005 0.9 
			 2006 2.1

Revenue and Customs: Labour Turnover

Lembit �pik: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the rates of staff retention were in the tax offices in HM Revenue and Customs offices  (a) Cardiff,  (b) Wrexham and  (c) Welshpool in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The information requested is not available.

Revenue and Customs: Labour Turnover

Lembit �pik: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the changes in staff numbers were in HM Revenue and Customs in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The table shows the full time equivalent numbers of staff in HM Revenue and Customs and its predecessor departments on 1 April of each year.
	
		
			   Number 
			 2001 85,940 
			 2002 87,080 
			 2003 94,100 
			 2004 98,270 
			 2005 97,170 
			 2006 92,888 
			 2007 88,936

Winter Fuel Payments: Wirral

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were in receipt of the winter fuel payment in Wirral West constituency in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Mike O'Brien: I have been asked to reply
	:
	In winter 2006-07 we made 20,040 winter fuel payments to people in the Wirral, West constituency. We expect the number to be similar for this winter.
	 Notes:
	1. Figures rounded to the nearest 10.
	2. Parliamentary constituencies are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory.
	 Source:
	Information directorate 100 per cent. data.

Employment: Enfield

Joan Ryan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were employed in Enfield borough in  (a) 1997 and  (b) 2008 as a percentage of the working-age population.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 4 February 2008:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking how many people were employed in Enfield North constituency and Enfield borough in  (a) 1997 and  (b) 2007 as a percentage of working age population. I am replying in her absence. (183471, 183472).
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles employment statistics for local areas from the annual Labour Force Survey (LFS) and the Annual Population Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions.
	Table 1 attached shows the number of people aged 16 and over and those of working-age (Males 16-64 years and Females 16-59 years) resident in the Enfield, North constituency and in Enfield borough who were in employment for the 12 months ending in February 1998 from the annual LFS and for the 12 months ending in June 2007 from the APS. The table also shows the corresponding employment rates for the 12 months ending in February 1998 and the 12 months ending in June 2007.
	As these estimates are for a subset of the population in small geographical areas they are based on small sample sizes and are therefore subject to large margins of uncertainty. Change in the estimates over time should be treated with particular caution.
	
		
			  Table 1: Employment in Enfield, North constituency and Enfield borough 
			   Enfield, North  Enfield borough 
			   16+  Working age  16+  Working age 
			  12 months ending  Level (000)  Level (000)  Rate (%)  Level (000)  Level (000)  Rate (%) 
			 February 1998 41 40 75.2 128 124 77.2 
			 June 2007 56 53 73.9 130 124 69.5 
			  Note:  Estimates are subject to sampling variability. Changes in the estimates over time should be treated with particular caution.  Source:  Annual Population Survey and Annual Labour Force Survey

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Antisocial Behaviour

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps are being taken to  (a) implement and  (b) promote community calls to action by local authorities introduced under the Police and Justice Act 2006.

Tony McNulty: I have been asked to reply.
	The Home Office and the Department for Communities and Local Government are working together to agree implementation plansincluding agreeing a timetable for implementation.
	In particular the Home Office is keen to ensure that this work complements wider developments on local accountability. Sir Ronnie Flanagan's Independent Review of Policing, which will publish its final report soon, and the Policing Green Paper, to be published later this year, will have more to say on this issue.

Centre for Spatial Economic Research: Finance

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much she has allocated to the Centre for Spatial Economic Research for 2007-08.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has allocated 43,750 to the Centre on Spatial Economic Research for 2007-08.

Christmas

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much her Department's agencies spent on  (a) Christmas cards and  (b) postage of Christmas cards in each year since 1997.

Parmjit Dhanda: Agencies could only answer this question in full at disproportionate cost, but the following information is available for the total spend on Christmas cards in 2007:
	
		
			
			   Spend 
			 Fire Service College 917.05 
			 Planning Inspectorate Nil 
			 Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre Nil 
			 Ordnance Survey 625

Community Centres: Valuation

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many village halls and community centres were recorded on the Valuation Office Agency's ratings list in England in the most recent period for which figures are available.

John Healey: The Valuation Office Agency does not separately describe village halls or community centres in the rating lists.

Community Relations: Religion

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much she has allocated to the  (a) Preventing Violent Extremism pathfinder fund and  (b) Preventing Violent Extremism community leadership fund for (i) 2008-09, (ii) 2009-10 and (iii) 2010-11.

Parmjit Dhanda: holding answer 31 January 2008
	We will announce the funding allocations for local authorities and for the Preventing Violent Extremism Community Leadership fund for 2008-09 in the near future.
	Funding allocations for local authorities and for the Preventing Violent Extremism Community Leadership Fund for 2009-11 will be announced in due course.

Council Housing: Energy

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 29 November 2007,  Official Report, column 680W, on council housing: energy, if she will make it her policy to issue guidance on sustainable ways of replacing windows in local authority-owned homes.

Iain Wright: The BRE Green Guide currently provides advice on the sustainability of building materials including windows. Our Code for Sustainable (new) Homes draws on the assessments in that guide. This information is available to local authorities in making their own investment decisions on improving their housing stock.
	Existing guidance on the decent homes standard states landlords may also want to consider other factors when carrying out work to makes homes decent including carrying out works in an environmentally sustainable way. It refers landlords to Green Street, a web-based tool for sustainable refurbishment developed by Sustainable Homes and the Housing Corporation (www.greenstreet.org.uk).
	We do not believe it is necessary to issue further advice on this issue to local authorities.

Government Departments: Kent

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much total funding via  (a) revenue support,  (b) capital grant and  (c) supported borrowing was provided from all central Government Departments to (i) Kent county council, (ii) Thanet district council and (iii) Dover district council in each year since 1992.

John Healey: The central Government revenue funding to Kent county council, Thanet district council and Dover district council in each year since 1993 is as follows:
	
		
			  000 
			   Kent county council  Dover district council  Thanet district council 
			 1993-94 845,077 7,929 11,394 
			 1994-95 875,246 8,262 11,105 
			 1995-96 754,685 8,088 10,613 
			 1996-97 781,543 8,490 11,381 
			 1997-98 786,516 8,522 11,457 
			 1998-99 699,509 8,338 11,868 
			 1999-2000 755,146 8,582 11,891 
			 2000-01 841,362 9,147 12,297 
			 2001-02 904,878 9,369 12,895 
			 2002-03 960,539 9,646 13,218 
			 2003-04 1,049,759 9,912 14,022 
			 2004-05 1,094,036 9,450 14,432 
			 2005-06 1,129,800 9,774 13,952 
			 2006-07 1,168,806 10,811 15,766 
			  Source:  Communities and Local Government Revenue Outturn (RO) returns. 
		
	
	The large differences between 1994-95 and 1995-96 and between 1997-98 and 1998-99 for Kent county council are as a result of local authority re-organisation.
	Central Government revenue funding is defined here as the sum of formula grant (revenue support grant, police grant and redistributed non-domestic rates) and specific grants inside Aggregate External Finance (AEF), i.e. revenue grants paid for councils' core services. In past years, it also includes the SSA reduction grant, central support protection grant, council tax benefit subsidy limitation scheme.
	Figures exclude grants outside AEF (i.e. where funding is not for authorities' core services, but is passed to a third party, for example, rent allowances and rebates), capital grants, funding for the local authorities' housing management responsibilities and those grant programmes (such as European funding) where authorities are simply one of the recipients of funding paid towards an area.
	Comparisons across years may not be valid due to changing local authority responsibilities.
	The amount of capital grants provided to local authorities by central Government is not available. Funding of supported borrowing is included indistinguishably in revenue funding given in the table.

Greater London Authority: Audit

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what work the  (a) District Auditor and  (b) Audit Commission have undertaken on recent claims of impropriety in the allocation of grants by the London Development Agency and the Greater London Authority.

John Healey: It would be inappropriate for me to comment as the District Auditor and Audit Commission are both independent of Government and the District Auditor's investigations are ongoing. This is an operational matter for the Audit commission and I have asked the Chief Executive of the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member directly.
	 Letter from Steve Bundred , dated 4 February 2008:
	Your parliamentary question on whether the district auditor has oversight over the  (a) London Development Agency and  (b) Greater London Authority has been passed to me for reply.
	I think it would be helpful at the outset to clarify the role and responsibilities of the Audit Commission and the appointed auditor, before turning to the work being undertaken by the District Auditor for the Greater London Authority (GLA) and London Development Agency (LDA).
	 The role of the Audit Commission
	The Audit Commission (the Commission) is an independent body with statutory responsibilities to regulate the audit of local government and NHS bodies in England. The Commission's statutory responsibilities in relation to audit are set out in the Audit Commission Act 1998 (the Act). They are to:
	appoint auditors to local government and NHS bodies;
	prescribe how auditors should carry out their functions through a statutory Code of Audit Practice, which is approved by Parliament at five-yearly intervals;
	set scales of fees for audit work; and
	make arrangements for certifying grant claims and returns.
	The Commission appoints professionally qualified auditors from its own staff (known as District Auditors) and private firms of auditors. Once appointed, auditors carry out their statutory and other responsibilities, and are required by the Code of Audit Practice to exercise their professional judgement, independently of the Commission.
	The separation between the Commission and its appointed auditors is reflected in statute and case law. The Act confers the duties and powers of the appointed auditor on appointed auditors, who exercise their duties and powers in their own right.
	The statutory independence of auditors means that the Commission cannot:
	interfere with an appointed auditor's exercise of his or her professional skill and judgement in performing his or her statutory functions;
	substitute its own judgements for those of an appointed auditor in the exercise of those functions; or
	direct an appointed auditor to act or to review his or her decisions, as only the courts have the powers to do so.
	The Commission appoints the auditors to the GLA and its associated bodies including the IDA. The District Auditor for both the GLA and the IDA is Mike Haworth-Maden.
	It is not therefore a matter for the Commission itself to investigate the recent claims of impropriety in the allocation of grants by the IDA and the GLA. Those claims are properly matters for the consideration of the independent District Auditor in the exercise of his functions (see below).
	 The role of the appointed auditor
	The Audit Commission Act 1998 sets out the specific statutory duties of appointed auditors.
	They are:
	to comply with the Code of Audit Practice]
	to give an opinion on the accounts of the audited body;
	to satisfy themselves that the accounts comply with statutory requirements and have been compiled in accordance with proper practices;
	to satisfy themselves that the audited body has made proper arrangements for securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources; and
	to certify completion of the audit.
	In addition, auditors of local government bodies (which include the GLA and IDA) have other statutory duties and powers:
	to consider issuing a public interest report about any matter that comes to their attention during the audit, which they judge should be considered by the audited body or brought to public attention;
	to decide whether the audited body should consider formally, and respond to in public, matters raised in an audit report;
	to give electors the opportunity to raise questions about the accounts, and consider and decide on objections received from electors about the accounts; and
	where unlawful expenditure has been or is about to be incurred by an audited body, to issue an advisory notice, to apply to the courts for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful or apply for judicial review.
	The Code of Audit Practice requires that where, in the course of an audit, representations are made to the auditor or information is provided that is relevant to the audit, or matters relevant to the audit otherwise come to their attention, auditors should consider whether the matter needs investigation and action.
	 Work carried out by the District Auditor
	The District Auditor is currently considering a number of allegations concerning the allocation of grants that have recently been reported in the media. I understand that matters have also been referred to him by three MPs and the London Assembly.
	The District Auditor is considering these matters in the context of his statutory responsibilities. His initial focus has been the conduct and findings of the GLA's and LDA's internal reviews to date. In this context, he has received the reports on the reviews recently undertaken by the Statutory Finance Officers:
	 (a) for the GLA, the report of the Executive Director of Finance and Performance dated 9 January 2008 (which is available on the GLA's website); and
	 (b) for the LDA, the report of the Group Director, Risk and Resources dated 11 January 2008 (which is available on the LDA's website).
	His work to assess the conduct and findings of those reviews, and other related internal activity undertaken to date by the GLA and LDA, is currently in progress. As part of this, he has recently met officers from the Metropolitan Police with regard to the ongoing police investigations into a number of matters that the LDA's Statutory Finance Officer has referred to the police.
	On the basis of his assessment of the internal reviews carried out by the GLA and the LDA, he will assess the further work required on his part, including whether further information, interviews or other investigation activity (of the GLA and LDA itself, or of third parties) is required with regard to the specific projects referred to him. This will also inform his wider assessment of the GLA and LDA in the context of his statutory responsibilities, including the arrangements for making grants.
	In following the approach set out, he will need to have regard to other ongoing work, including:
	the Metropolitan Police's ongoing investigations;
	the further work that the LDA is carrying out on a number of specific projects, but also with regard to its planned wider risk-based project review; and
	London Assembly scrutiny activity.
	It is too early to assess the timescale for completion of this exercise.
	I hope you find the above helpful. Please contact me, or Mr Haworth-Maden, should you wish to discuss any of the matters raised .
	A copy of this letter will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

Greater London Authority: Audit

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the district auditor has oversight over the  (a) London Development Agency and  (b) Greater London Authority.

John Healey: Yes.

Hostels

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) walk-in and  (b) referral-only hostel places were available in each region in England in each year since 1997.

Iain Wright: The Department does not collect information on walk-in and referral-only hostel spaces.
	Homeless UK, an online national database of accommodation services for the homeless which is funded by Communities and Local Government, holds current information on direct access hostels for rough sleepers on a regional basissee table as follows. Direct access hostels for rough sleepers are short stay emergency services for rough sleepers where people are usually referred in by outreach services or self-refer.
	
		
			  Direct access hostels listed on Homeless UK by region 
			   Bedspaces  Hostels 
			   Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage 
			 East Midlands 615 7 18 7 
			 East of England 435 7 18 7 
			 London 2,378 27 43 18 
			 North East 498 6 14 6 
			 North West 1,310 15 42 17 
			 South East 964 11 37 15 
			 South West 767 9 27 11 
			 West Midlands 1,212 14 22 9 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 773 9 25 10 
			 England 8,952 100 246 100

Housing: Energy

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 11 December 2007,  Official Report, columns 546-47W, on housing: energy, what her Department's estimate is of the costs of retrofitting the existing  (a) public and  (b) private domestic housing stock to meet minimum standards for energy efficiency at entry level (one star rating) of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Iain Wright: The Department has not made such an estimate because the code for sustainable homes applies to new homes, not existing homes. The Department's impact assessment into making ratings mandatory under the code that formed part of the Impact Assessment of the Housing and Regeneration Bill includes an estimate of the increased build costs arising for new homes at the different code levels against current building regulations standards. This assessment is available on the
	Department's website:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/HousingandRegBill
	The Department's review of the sustainability of existing homes includes an estimate of the costs of installing specific energy savings measures into existing homes.

Housing: Publications

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when her Department received a draft copy of the National Audit Office's report on Housing Market Renewal.

Iain Wright: holding answer 20 November 2007
	 We received the first draft of the National Audit Office's report on Housing Market Renewal on 10 September 2007.

Housing: Regional Planning and Development

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether local authorities that sign up to growth point status are committed to support accelerated housing development in Green Belt areas if these are included in draft Regional Spatial Strategy allocations.

Iain Wright: The New Growth Points initiative will encourage well-planned, sustainable growth and much of the new development will be focused on brownfield sites within existing town and city boundaries. Further, New Growth Point status is tested by the planning system and the implications for any green belt land would be subject to consultation and examination of the relevant proposals through the regional planning process and local development frameworks.

Housing: Regional Planning and Development

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether a local authority's proposal to gain growth point status must involve acceptance of housing growth to at least the level proposed by the Regional Spatial Strategy; and whether there is a requirement for this growth to be accelerated.

Iain Wright: Expressions of interest for growth points will need to offer significant, strategic growth which is additional to previous plans and which takes into account changes in plan levels between 2003, the current round of RSS reviews and the Housing Green Paper which sets a new national target of delivering 240,000 homes a year by 2016. The rate of housing growth will be determined by the regional planning process and local development frameworks.

Housing: Regional Planning and Development

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what expectations her Department has of local authorities who apply for and accept growth point status in terms of  (a) accelerated and  (b) additional housing growth compared with the levels of growth proposed by the relevant Regional Spatial Strategy.

Iain Wright: The Housing Green Paper sets a new target of delivering 240,000 homes a year by 2016 but the rate of housing growth in specific local and regional areas will be determined by the regional planning process and local development frameworks. Potential growth points are expected to offer significant additional growth to previous plans that take into account changes in plan levels between 2003, the current round of RSS reviews and the Housing Green Paper national targets.

Housing: Regional Planning and Development

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much her Department has budgeted for additional funding to local authorities with growth point status; and for what purposes local authorities would be permitted to use these additional funds.

John Healey: The Department will be investing 1.7 billion across Growth Areas, the Thames Gateway, Growth Points and Eco-Towns during the CSR07 period, and it is intended to announce funding specific to the 2nd round of growth points in the spring. This will be subject to similar funding conditions to that for existing growth points, announced in December.

Ipsos-Mori

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what payments her Department has made to Ipsos-MORI in the last 24 months; and for what purposes.

Caroline Flint: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 28 January 2008,  Official Report, column 117W.

Islam: Females

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what criteria were used to select the attendees at the two roundtable meetings hosted by her Department since April 2007 in which women's access to mosque life was discussed.  [Official Report, 22 February 2008, Vol. 472, c. 11MC.]

Parmjit Dhanda: holding answer 31 January 2008
	The attendees were selected using a range of factors including their expertise and knowledge and the Preventing Violent Extremism agenda. All the participants are in leadership positions within key organisations and have links to grass-root communities, ensuring balanced representation across Muslim communities.

Islam: Females

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was spent on the development of leadership skills among Muslim  (a) women and  (b) young people in each year since 1997.

Parmjit Dhanda: holding answer 31 January 2008
	The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) was formed on 5 May 2006. Since that date 118,000 has been spent directly by the Department on projects relating to the development of leadership skills of women and 225,000 on projects relating to the development of leadership skills of young people.
	DCLG has also provided 6.5 million 'Pathfinder Funding' to local authorities for work to build the resilience of Muslim communities and some of this work will include building the leadership skills of Muslim women and young people. A full list of all work funded through the Pathfinder Fund is available from the Library of the House.
	Other DCLG projects may have supported work to develop leadership skills but it is not possible to quantify the specific impact on Muslim women and young people.

Local Authorities: Green Belt

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what consent is needed from  (a) the Secretary of State and  (b) the government office for the region for a local authority to designate additional land with green belt status.

Iain Wright: Green belts are established through development plans. Proposals for new green belts should be considered through Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS), or, in London the Spatial Development Strategy, in the first instance. RSS are prepared by regional planning bodies on behalf of the Secretary of State, who formally approves and publishes the final RSS. In London, the Mayor prepares the Spatial Development Strategy and no specific consent is needed from the Secretary of State to any green belt proposals.
	Local Development Documents prepared by local planning authorities set the detailed boundaries of the green belt. No specific consent is needed from the Secretary of State to these boundaries.
	Government Offices make representations to regional planning bodies and local planning authorities on behalf of the Secretary of State but have no formal powers to give or withhold consent.

Local Government Finance

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much gross income, in cash terms, was raised from sales, fees and charges, by local authorities in England, in each year since 1997-98.

John Healey: Table 2.5a of Local Government Financial Statistics (LGFS) England gives details of the total gross income raised from sales, fees and charges by local authorities in England. The 1997-98 information was published in LGFS No. 15: 2004, 1998-99 and 1999-2000 in LGFS No. 16: 2005 and 2000-01 to 2004-05 in LGFS No. 17: 2007. LGFS No. 17 also included an initial estimate for 2005-06. These publications are in the Library of the House and are also available on the Communities and Local Government website at:
	http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/stats/index.htm
	An initial estimate for 2006-07 was published in the 2006-07 Local Authority Revenue Expenditure and Financing England final outturn Statistical Release. Later estimates for 2005-06 and 2006-07 will be published in LGFS No. 18 later this year.

Local Government Finance: South West Region

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the external funding received per head of population is for each local authority in the south-west region, in descending order.

Parmjit Dhanda: The central Government grant per head for each local authority in the south-west region for 2006-07 in descending order is tabled as follows.
	
		
			  Local authority   per head 
			 Isles of Scilly 2,101 
			 Plymouth UA 1,103 
			 Bristol UA 1,040 
			 Torbay UA 1,028 
			 Swindon UA 960 
			 Bournemouth UA 955 
			 Cornwall 885 
			 North Somerset UA 842 
			 South Gloucestershire UA 837 
			 Somerset 824 
			 Gloucestershire 813 
			 Bath and North East Somerset UA 810  
			 Poole UA 783 
			 Devon 760 
			 Wiltshire 748 
			 Dorset 685 
			 Avon and Somerset Police Authority 119  
			 Gloucestershire Police Authority 117  
			 Gloucester 116 
			 Dorset Police Authority 116 
			 Devon and Cornwall Police Authority 116  
			 Exeter 114 
			 Wiltshire Police Authority 108 
			 Kerrier 108 
			 West Somerset 106 
			 Penwith 106 
			 North Cornwall 106 
			 Torridge 99 
			 Weymouth and Portland 98 
			 Restormel 97 
			 Carrick 97 
			 Sedgemoor 95 
			 North Devon 91 
			 Caradon 89 
			 Forest of Dean 88 
			 Cheltenham 88 
			 Teignbridge 87 
			 West Dorset 86 
			 Taunton Deane 86 
			 Mid Devon 86 
			 West Devon 85 
			 Purbeck 80 
			 South Somerset 79 
			 Mendip 79 
			 Stroud 78 
			 South Hams 78 
			 Cotswold 76 
			 Christchurch 76 
			 Tewkesbury 73 
			 Kennet 73 
			 North Wiltshire 72 
			 West Wiltshire 71 
			 North Dorset 71 
			 East Devon 68 
			 Salisbury 66 
			 East Dorset 49 
			 Avon Combined Fire Authority 24 
			 Devon Combined Fire Authority 19 
			 Dorset Combined Fire Authority 15 
			 Wiltshire Combined Fire Authority 14 
			 Exmoor National Park Authority n/a 
			 Dartmoor National Park Authority n/a 
			  Notes: 1. Central government grant is defined here as the sum of Formula grant (Revenue Support Grant, Police grant and redistributed non-domestic rates) and Specific grants inside Aggregate External Finance (AEF), i.e. revenue grants paid for council's core services. 2. Figures exclude grants outside AEF (i.e. where funding is not for authorities' core services, but is passed to a third party, for example, rent allowances and rebates), capital grants, funding for the local authorities' housing management responsibilities and those grant programmes (such as European funding) where authorities are simply one of the recipients of funding paid towards an area. 3. Figures for individual authorities vary considerably and are not directly comparable as different types of authority have different responsibilities. 4. Population figures used in the calculation are the Office for National Statistics' (ONS) Mid-Year Population estimates for 2006. Population figures are not currently available for National Park authorities.  Source: Communities and Local Government Revenue Outturn (RO) 2006-07 returns

M61: Noise

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the total cost to the public purse incurred by  (a) the Valuation Office Agency and  (b) the Manchester North Valuation Tribunal was in relation to the High Court case held on 18 December 2007 in relation to traffic noise on the M61.

John Healey: The Valuation Office Agency costs of counsel involved in preparation for the High Court and presentation of the case, including court fees, was 4,190. The Manchester North Valuation Tribunal was not involved in proceedings at the High Court hearing.

Mayor of London: Codes of Practice

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  whether there is a code of conduct for the Mayor of London's political advisers;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 15 January 2008,  Official Report, column 773, on London Development Agency/Mayor of London, if she will bring forward proposals for a statutory code of conduct for the Mayor of London's political advisers.

John Healey: It is for the Greater London Authority to determine the nature and scope of any code of conduct for GLA employees, including the Mayor's political advisers. There are no current plans to produce a statutory code of conduct for the Mayor of London's political advisers.

Milton Keynes Partnership

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what key performance targets have been set for the Milton Keynes Partnership.

Iain Wright: holding answer 1 February 2008
	Milton Keynes Partnership is a Committee of English Partnerships, and its targets are laid out in its 2007-08 to 2011-12 Business Plan, which is a public document available on its website (www.miltonkeynespartnership.info). These include:
	the need to develop a visionary plan for Milton Keynes;
	the need to increase the pace of housing delivery and employment growth consistent with Government targets;
	to ensure the timely delivery of infrastructure provision;
	to enhance the quality of life in Milton Keynes;
	to encourage effective community and stakeholder engagement; and
	to support community cohesion.
	The performance targets are reported on annually, each March, and monitored by Milton Keynes Partnership Committee, the Local Strategic Partnership and are subject to regular scrutiny by Milton Keynes council's external scrutiny panel. The Government also monitors and reviews the Business Plan before it is set.

Minister for the West Midlands

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what resources have been given to the Minister for the West Midlands to enable him to perform his duties.

Parmjit Dhanda: 'The Governance of Britain' Green Paper, published on 3 July, set out the proposed role of Regional Ministers. Regional Ministers ensure that Government policy takes account of the differing needs of the nine English regions. Regional Ministers make central Government more visible in the regions, helping to raise their profile and generate awareness of the political system. The functions that Regional Ministers undertake are mostly clustered around the responsibilities of the Government offices and the RDAs, particularly in relation to economic development, although they do have a more general ambassadorial role.

Minister for the West Midlands

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what visits the Minister for the West Midlands has made to organisations in the region since assuming the role in June 2007.

Parmjit Dhanda: holding answer 21 January 2008
	 The Minister for the west midlands has visited the following organisations since his appointment:
	South Shropshire district council
	A flood-damaged Newbridge nursery/farm at Cleobury Mortimer.
	BMW plant at Hams Hall in Coleshill, North Warwickshire
	The Regional Partnership Centre
	The West Midlands business council
	The West Midlands Regional Assembly
	The Science City partnership
	Birmingham city council
	Blitz games in Leamington Spa
	Telford and Wrekin council
	Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage
	The Ricoh factory
	Keele Science and Business Park
	North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership
	Waterside Housing development
	University quarter in Stoke-on-Trent
	Stoke city council
	Wolverhampton university science park
	Wolverhampton Urban Regeneration Company
	Walsall Art Gallery
	Dudley Limestone Caverns
	Business leaders at the West Bromwich Building Society.
	The Innovation Centre at Longbridge.
	The Guild/Pridmore estate
	Whitefriars Housing Association
	Government office west midlands
	Jobcentre Plus
	Learning and Skills Centre
	West Midlands strategic health authority
	Advantage West Midlands.

Minister for the West Midlands

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what support her Department provides for the Minister for the West Midlands in pursuit of his regional responsibilities.

Parmjit Dhanda: holding answer 21 January 2008
	The Government office for the west midlands supports the role of the Regional Minister. This support was provided by one full-time equivalent staff when the role was created and has now expanded into two full-time equivalent staff to manage the delivery of the Ministers priorities in the region.

Mosques and Imams Advisory Committee: Finance

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much she has allocated to the Mosques and Imams Advisory Committee in  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11.

Parmjit Dhanda: holding answer 31 January 2008
	The Department has not committed any funding to the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board (MINAB) for the financial years 2008-09, 2009-10 or 2010-2011.

Persimmon

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what representations her Department has received from Persimmon in the last 12 months; and what meetings between her Department and Persimmon have taken place in the same period.

Parmjit Dhanda: Details of any representations that may have been made by Persimmon to the Department could be found only at disproportionate cost. Ministers and civil servants meet many people as part of the process of policy development and advice. It is not the usual practice of Government to disclose details of such meetings.

Planning

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance her Department has issued to planning authorities on the relative account to be taken of  (a) supplementary planning guidance and  (b) a design brief without supplementary planning document status.

Iain Wright: Supplementary planning documents (SPDs) may contain policies which expand or supplement the policies in development plan documents. They form part of the local development framework. Since the new planning system was introduced in 2004, the Government have advised that local planning authorities should not produce supplementary guidance other than supplementary planning documents, in order to ensure that guidance follows minimum standards of consultation and appraisal. If any supplementary guidance has been drawn up other than as an SPD, it does not have a defined role and the weight to be afforded it will depend on the circumstances of the case. No guidance has been issued on this matter.
	An exception to this concerns supplementary material produced before 2004: Paragraph 5.23 of Planning Policy Statement 12 Local Development Frameworks states that:
	'On commencement of the new planning system, existing supplementary planning guidance will not automatically lose its status and will continue to exist as non-statutory guidance whilst the relevant saved policies are in place'.

Plastic Bags

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many branded plastic bags  (a) her Department,  (b) the Audit Commission,  (c) the Housing Corporation and  (d) the Standards Board for England have procured in the last 24 months; and at what cost.

Parmjit Dhanda: Departmental records show that there have been two orders placed in the last 24 months for 300,000 bags for the Fire Kills campaign which has helped reduce the number of deaths from fires, costing in total 19,550 excluding vat.
	The Audit Commission has not acquired any branded plastic bags in the last 24 months.
	The Housing Corporation has had no expenditure on these types of products.
	Standards Board for England did not procure any branded plastic bags in the last 24 months.

Press Releases: Minister for the West Midlands

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many press releases the Minister for the West Midlands has issued in his capacity as a regional Minister since he was appointed.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Minister for the West Midlands has issued 16 press releases in his capacity as a Regional Minister as follows:
	Liam Byrne MP, West Midlands Minister, To visit Ludlow, Shropshire on Monday, 16 July 2007;
	Liam ByrneChallenges Region's Public Services on British Jobs For British Workers;
	Liam Byrne Challenges Region's Public Services on British Jobs In Britain;
	Liam ByrneBrings the 'Ideas People' Together;
	Liam ByrneBrings the 'Ideas People' Together;
	West Midlands Leadership Group to Drive New Jobs and New Homes;
	Liam Byrne, Welcomes Climate Change Action Plan;
	Liam ByrneVisits Bromyard, Herefordshire;
	Birmingham Can Be One of Europe's Global Gateways;
	Regional Minister Liam Byrne Meets Top Birmingham Exporters;
	Ministers Lead Summit on Culture And Regional Image;
	Regional Strategies Show the Way To Jobs, Homes And Prosperity For The West Midlands;
	Liam Byrne visits Stoke-on-Trent And Staffordshire;
	4.3 Million Funding Milestone For University Quarter In Stoke-on-Trent;
	Liam Byrne Backs Black Country Big Lottery Bid; and
	Ministers Challenge Region's Universities To Make West Midlands Number One Choice For Students.

Property Development: Dunsfold Park

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what representations her Department has received from representatives of Dunsfold Park Ltd in relation to the proposed development in Dunsfold Park, Surrey; and what meetings her Department's representatives have had with that company.

Caroline Flint: Several representations have been received from Dunsfold Park Limited and its advisers in support of its plans for the former Dunsfold Aerodrome. A number of meetings have also been held with officials in the Department and the Government office for the south-east since July 2005 to clarify aspects of national planning policy that would apply to any such development.
	As one of a number of housing initiatives under way, the Government are considering eco-towns and, as part of this, has sought expressions of interest from developers and local authorities. To reveal the details of recent meetings and representations from developers when this process is underway would have the potential to be detrimental to the process, and those that have put forward eco-towns proposals.

Regeneration: Manchester

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will place in the Library a copy of her report to the Prime Minister on regeneration strategies for East Manchester not based on a super casino.

John Healey: In July, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said that the Government would look at whether deprived areas could be equally well served by other forms of regeneration than the development of regional casinos. While Manchester will clearly have an interest in the findings of the review, the response is not specific to alternatives to a regional casino in east Manchesterit applies to deprived areas more broadly.
	Copies of our conclusions will be placed in the Library of the House upon publication.

Sleeping Rough

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people were sleeping rough in  (a) England,  (b) London,  (c) Northamptonshire and  (d) Wellingborough constituency in each of the last five years.

Iain Wright: holding answer 1 February 2008
	The following table shows the number of people found sleeping rough on local authority street counts in  (a) England,  (b) London,  (c) Northamptonshire and  (d) Wellingborough in each of the last five years. Data have been drawn from local authority Housing Strategy and Statistical Appendix (HSSA) returns.
	
		
			   2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 England 504 508 459 502 498 
			 London 267 265 221 267 248 
			 Northamptonshire 7 8 12 11 0 
			 Wellingborough 0 0 1 0 0

Sleeping Rough

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate her Department has made of the level of rough sleeping unrecorded by annual street counts; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: Local authority rough sleeping counts are conducted in accordance with methodology agreed with and independently verified by the voluntary sector. We recognise that those counted on a single night do not represent all those who may have experienced sleeping rough over the course of a year, but street counts enable effective measurement of trends in rough sleeping over time and across regions. CHAIN (Combined Homelessness and Information Network) is another valuable source of rough sleeping information which is based on outreach team contact with rough sleepers in London.

Unitary Councils

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 28 January 2008,  Official Report, column 120W, on unitary councils, when she will place the information cited in the Library; if she will ensure that the information is placed in the Library before the relevant Statutory Instrument is considered in the House; if she will list the categories of information to be placed in the Library; and why there has been a delay in placing the information in the Library.

John Healey: All the councils concerned placed on their websites details of the further information sought from them on their unitary proposals. There are a large number of separate documents involved and so I have first placed copies of the information in the Library for those proposals in relation to the statutory instruments that will be considered shortly in the House. This information falls into the following categories:
	(1) the questions DCLG posed to the local authorities in February 2007;
	(2) the written responses to those questions received in February 2007;
	(3) notes of the meetings to discuss the questions;
	(4) the further questions DCLG posed to the local authorities in March 2007; and
	(5) the written responses to those questions received in March 2007.
	I will place in the Library of the House similar information on the remaining proposals in due course and before the relevant statutory instruments are debated.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Child Support: Lone Parents

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of single mothers receiving child support in the London borough of Bexley.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the chief executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of single mothers receiving child support in the London borough of Bexley.
	At the end of September 2007, there were 1,040 female parents with care with an address in the London borough of Bexley that were receiving child support. Not all of these will be single mothers as some may have re-partnered or re-married. The management information held by the Agency does not record if the parents with care are single.
	Cases have been allocated to a local authority (borough) using the Office for National Statistics Postcode Directory. There will be a small number of cases where the postcode is unknown or not recorded and therefore cannot be allocated to a local authority.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Christmas

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department's agencies spent on  (a) Christmas cards and  (b) postage of Christmas cards in each year since 1997.

Anne McGuire: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 17 December 2007,  Official Report, column 933W.

Departmental Accountancy

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what items of his Department's  (a) revenue and  (b) expenditure are uprated using (i) the consumer prices index, (ii) the retail prices index and (iii) other measures of inflation.

Mike O'Brien: Parliamentary approval for the Department for Work and Pensions' spending plans is sought through supply estimates presented to the House of Commons. Consequently the Department for Work and Pensions revenue is obtained from HM Treasury via the parliamentary vote system.
	Sections 150 and 150A of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 prescribe the benefits that the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions must review on an annual basis and those that must be up-rated. The prices related indexes that are used in those benefits up-rated in line with prices are the retail prices index, and the rossi index (which is the retail prices index with the housing elements removed).
	The following table shows the basis on which benefits have generally been uprated in recent years, some, but not all, of which are prescribed by legislation.
	
		
			  Benefit  Basis on which benefits have been uprated 
			 Attendance allowance; disability living allowance RPI 
			   
			 Carer's allowance RPI 
			   
			 Incapacity benefit; severe disablement allowance RPI 
			   
			   
			 Industrial death benefit Rate of widows pension 
			   
			 Industrial injuries disablement benefit RPI 
			   
			 Income support; jobseeker's allowance; council tax benefit; housing benefit personal allowances; disability premium; enhanced disability premium; carer premium Rossi 
			   
			 Amounts for dependent children/family premiums Provided by HMRC 
			   
			 Pensioner premiums By reference to pension credit standard minimum guarantee 
			   
			 Pensioner aged 60-64 (housing benefit and council tax benefit only) Rate of pension credit standard minimum guarantee 
			   
			 Pensioner aged 65 and over (housing benefit and council tax benefit only) Rate of pension credit standard minimum guarantee plus maximum savings credit 
			   
			 Severe disability premium RPI 
			   
			 Non-dependant deductions Earnings limits increased in line with average earnings 
			   
			 Service charges for fuel deduction (housing benefit only) RPI fuel and light 
			   
			 Maternity allowance Rate of statutory maternity pay 
			   
			  Pension Credit  
			 Standard minimum guarantee Earnings 
			 Additional amount for severe disability RPI 
			 Additional amount for carers Rossi 
			 Maximum savings credit Earnings(1) 
			   
			 Pneumoconiosis, byssinosis and miscellaneous diseases scheme and the workmen's compensation (supplementation) RPI 
			   
			 State pension RPI 
			   
			 Statutory maternity pay; statutory adoption pay(2); statutory paternity pay(2) RPI 
			   
			 Statutory sick pay RPI 
			   
			 Widow's benefit Rate of state pension 
			   
			  Bereavement benefits  
			 Widowed parent's allowance Rate of state pension 
			 Bereavement allowance Rate of state pension 
			 (1 )From April 2008. (2 )These payments are the responsibility of the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform however they are up-rated by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he has taken to reduce his Department's carbon dioxide emissions in 2008-09.

James Plaskitt: The Department is committed to reducing its direct and indirect carbon dioxide emissions by reducing energy consumption and business travel.
	We work closely with our Estates Partners, Land Securities Trillium to reduce energy consumption, and as a consequence the carbon dioxide emissions resulting from our operations across our estate.
	There are a number of initiatives currently under way which have already shown average reductions of 8.5 per cent. in electricity consumption and 23 per cent. in fossil fuel consumption over the past two years. This equates to an overall reduction of 16.9 per cent. in our indirect carbon dioxide emissions in the same period. So far we have concentrated on our larger sites, which represent two-thirds of our overall energy consumption. This programme is ongoing, will be expanded to our smaller sites,, and continues to make a significant impact on emissions.
	The programme includes installing new energy saving technologies (e.g. voltage optimisation devices and passive infrared controls), more energy efficient equipment (e.g. IT), and Automated Meter Reading (AMR) to provide better quality management information leading to quicker resolution of issues and improved staff involvement.
	We have also identified sites for possible micro-generation schemes (e.g. wind turbines, solar-thermal and bio-mass boilers). We will continue to explore the practicalities of installing these technologies at appropriate locations across our estate.
	A review of business travel was undertaken in 2007 and a number of recommendations are being implemented. These include reducing our average vehicle emissions below the current Government target and setting targets to reduce business mileage travelled by car.

Departmental Computers

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of his Department's  (a) computers and  (b) laptops have been stolen in 2007; and what the value of those items was.

James Purnell: The Department has approximately 143,500 computers and laptops in service. 21 were reported as stolen (or lost presumed to be stolen), in the year to 31 December 2007 (0.01 per cent). None are believed to have contained any customer data. The total value of the stolen items has been estimated at approximately 14,250.

Disability Discrimination Act 2005

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps the Government is taking to increase awareness of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 and its implications for business; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: We continue to undertake promotional work to make businesses aware of their obligations under disability discrimination legislation. In particular we have sought to illustrate straightforward reasonable adjustments that could be made in order to meet their duty towards customers and employees, and to also highlight the wide range of impairments covered under the Act.

Disability Living Allowance

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the cost of providing disability living allowance instead of attendance allowance to those who have a disability that commences after the age of 65.

Anne McGuire: The information is not available as there are no reliable data available on which estimates could be made.

Disability Living Allowance: Mentally Ill

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many representations he has received on the rights of people with mental illnesses to claim the higher level of mobility benefit under the disability living allowance in each of the last three years.

Anne McGuire: Over the last three years, our records show that we have received a very small number of representations relating to the rights of people with mental illnesses to claim the higher rate mobility component.

Employment: Enfield

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were employed in Enfield, North constituency in  (a) 1997 and  (b) 2008 as a percentage of the working-age population.

Angela Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 4 February 2008:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking how many people were employed in Enfield North constituency and Enfield borough in  (a) 1997 and  (b) 2007 as a percentage of working age population. I am replying in her absence. (183471, 183472).
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles employment statistics for local areas from the annual Labour Force Survey (LFS) and the Annual Population Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions.
	Table 1 attached shows the number of people aged 16 and over and those of working-age (Males 16-64 years and Females 16-59 years) resident in the Enfield, North constituency and in Enfield borough who were in employment for the 12 months ending in February 1998 from the annual LFS and for the 12 months ending in June 2007 from the APS. The table also shows the corresponding employment rates for the 12 months ending in February 1998 and the 12 months ending in June 2007.
	As these estimates are for a subset of the population in small geographical areas they are based on small sample sizes and are therefore subject to large margins of uncertainty. Change in the estimates over time should be treated with particular caution.
	
		
			  Table 1: Employment in Enfield, North constituency and Enfield borough 
			   Enfield, North  Enfield borough 
			   16+  Working age  16+  Working age 
			  12 months ending  Level (000)  Level (000)  Rate (%)  Level (000)  Level (000)  Rate (%) 
			 February 1998 41 40 75.2 128 124 77.2 
			 June 2007 56 53 73.9 130 124 69.5 
			  Note:  Estimates are subject to sampling variability. Changes in the estimates over time should be treated with particular caution.  Source:  Annual Population Survey and Annual Labour Force Survey

Graduates: Unemployed

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many university graduates were registered unemployed in each of the last five years.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 15 January 2008
	I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 4 February 2008:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply your Parliamentary Question on how many university graduates were registered unemployed in each of the last five years. I am replying in her absence. (179360)
	Information on claimants of Job Seekers Allowance, as collected by the Department for Work and Pensions, does not include the type of qualifications held. As an alternative, the Labour Force Survey (LFS) provides the numbers of people who are unemployed according to the ILO (International Labour Organisation) definition and this can be broken down by type of qualification held.
	The attached table gives unemployment figures for graduates and all people aged 16+ for the three month period ending June each year, from 2003 to 2007.
	The LFS estimates at this detailed level are only consistent with the UK population estimates published in February and March 2003 and they do not incorporate the more recent population estimates that are used in the Labour Market Statistics monthly First Release.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		
			  Unemployed( 1)  people aged 16+, 2003-07( 2) UK, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Thousand 
			   Total  Graduates( 3) 
			 2003 1,401 144 
			 2004 1,368 136 
			 2005 1,364 138 
			 2006 1,604 168 
			 2007 1,573 156 
			 (1) According to the ILO (International Labour Organisation) definition of unemployed, i.e. those who are without a job, are available to start work in the next two weeks, who want a job and have been seeking a job in the last four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained.  (2) For the three-month period. April to June each year.  (3) Those who hold qualifications to degree level or higher.   Source:  ONS Labour Force Survey (LFS).

Jobseeker's Allowance: Greater London

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people had received job seeker's allowance for two years or more in each London borough at the most recent date for which figures are available; and what steps the Government plan to take to reduce the numbers.

James Plaskitt: The latest available information is in the following table.
	We announced plans for significant changes to the way we help and support jobseeker's allowance customers back into work in our Green Paper Response Paper 'Ready for Work' in December 2007.
	From April 2009, a stepped programme of support will be available for all customers from day one. The successful New Deal Gateway will be refreshed and introduced for all customers from six months of a claim. From October 2009, all those unemployed for 12 months will enter a new flexible New Deal, receiving intensive support from a specialist provider. During their time with a provider we expect all customers will enter work or participate in some form of full time activity increasing the chances of work.
	
		
			  Jobseeker's allowance claimants with a duration of 2 years and over by London borough as at December 2007 
			   Number 
			 Barking and Dagenham 95 
			 Barnet 170 
			 Bexley 45 
			 Brent 605 
			 Bromley 115 
			 Camden 220 
			 City of London 0 
			 Croydon 145 
			 Ealing 155 
			 Enfield 190 
			 Greenwich 130 
			 Hackney 280 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 100 
			 Haringey 695 
			 Harrow 40 
			 Havering 60 
			 Hillingdon 70 
			 Hounslow 45 
			 Islington 165 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 100 
			 Kingston-upon-Thames 15 
			 Lambeth 305 
			 Lewisham 220 
			 Merton 75 
			 Newham 460 
			 Red bridge 100 
			 Richmond-upon-Thames 30 
			 Southwark 775 
			 Sutton 50 
			 Tower Hamlets 910 
			 Waltham Forest 235 
			 Wandsworth 200 
			 Westminster, City of 170 
			  Notes:  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest five.  2. Figures are based on computer held cases only.   Source:  NOMIS 100 per cent count of claimants of unemployment-related benefits, Jobcentre Plus Computer Systems

National Insurance

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of his Department's employees who hold temporary national insurance numbers; and what his Department's policy is on the employment of staff with temporary national insurance numbers.

Anne McGuire: No current DWP employees hold a temporary national insurance number (NINO).
	The Department's recruitment policy is not to employ people until they can provide a valid NINO.

Pension Credit

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of  (a) men and  (b) women who will have reached the age of 60 between 23 September 2007 and 29 February 2008 who live alone and receive pension credit or jobseeker's allowance;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of  (a) men and  (b) women who will have reached the age of 60 between 23 September 2007 and 29 February 2008 who live in a care home and do not claim pension credit;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the number of  (a) men and  (b) women who will have reached the age of 60 between 23 September 2007 and 29 February 2008 who live with a partner who receives pension credit or jobseekers' allowance on their behalf.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 23 January 2008
	 The information requested is not available.

Pension Service: ICT

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many customers were incorrectly identified as being in prison due to a computer fault by the Pension Service over the last 12 months.

Mike O'Brien: Over the last 12 months, seven Pension Service customers were incorrectly identified as being in prison when in fact this was not the case. All affected cases were related to a winter fuel payment. The error has now been corrected, correct payments allocated and a letter of apology sent to the customers.

Pensioners: Poverty

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his most recent estimate is of the number of old age pensioners living in poverty in  (a) Romford,  (b) Essex and  (c) Greater London.

Mike O'Brien: Specific information regarding low income for the United Kingdom is available in Households Below Average Income 1994/95-2005/06. The threshold of below 60 per cent. contemporary median income is the most commonly used in reporting trends in low income.
	The data source does not allow us to provide robust numbers for estimates below the level of Government office region. However the available information for each of the regions containing the areas in the question is given in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of pensioners (million) living in households with below 60 per cent. of median income (three survey year average, 2003-04 to 2005-06), after housing costs 
			   Number 
			 London 0.2 
			 East of England 0.2 
			  Notes: 1. Three survey year averages are given for each of the regions as robust single year estimates cannot be produced because of the sample sizes for individual regions. 2. The income measures used to derive the estimates shown employ the same methodology as the Department for Work and Pensions publication 'Households Below Average Income' (HBAI) series, which uses disposable household income, adjusted (or equivalised) for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living. 3. The figures are based on OECD equalisation factors. 4. The preferred measure of low income for pensioners is by using a threshold of 60 per cent. of the contemporary median income after housing costs. This is consistent with indicators that will be monitored as part of PSA Delivery Agreement 17. 5. Tables show numbers in millions rounded to the nearest 100,000.  Source: Family Resources Survey 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06

Personal Income: Devon

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of households in North Devon whose income is below 60 per cent. of median UK household income; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: The information requested is not available below the level of Government office region.
	Our child poverty statistics, published in the Households Below Average Income series, allow a breakdown of child poverty by Government office region.

Social Fund: Birmingham

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average length of time was for  (a) a decision on and  (b) a review of social fund claims from the Birmingham office in the most recent period for which figures are available.

James Plaskitt: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Reviews of Social Fund applications at the Birmingham office (the Independent Review Service for the Social Fund) are a matter for the Social Fund Commissioner, Sir Richard Tilt. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 4 February 2008:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the average length of time for a decision on social fund applications in the most recent period for which figures are available. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The average actual clearance times for discretionary social fund applications in Great Britain from April to December 2007 are given in the table.
	
		
			  Discretionary social fund applications in Great Britain from April to December 2007( 1) 
			  Award type  Average Actual Clearance Time (working days) 
			 Community Care Grants 11.9 
			 Crisis Loans(2) 1.7 
			 Budgeting Loans 4.9 
			 (1). Numbers are based on applications cleared from April to December 2007, not on applications received during that period.  (2). Figure includes Crisis Loans for items and living expenses.   Source:  DWP Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System

Social Security Benefits

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were in receipt of at least one benefit at the most recent date for which figures are available.

James Plaskitt: The estimated number of people in the UK in receipt of at least one benefit including child benefit and state retirement pension is 22,400,000.
	 Notes:
	1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100,000.
	2. Benefit receipt is based on self-assessment and therefore may be subject to mis-reporting.
	3. Benefits include retirement pension and child benefit.
	 Source:
	Family Resources Survey, United Kingdom 2005-06.

Social Security Benefits: Administration

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1557W, on social security benefits: administration, in what form information on the cost of administering each benefit is collected and collated by the Department.

James Plaskitt: The Department does not record the costs of administering benefits by benefit type; i.e. information on administering each benefit is not collected and collated by the Department.
	However, total administration costs are analysed by Request for Resource (RfR) in the published Resource Accounts, currently split into the following RfR's for the 2006-07 Financial Year, together with the benefits administered:
	
		
			   Benefit 
			 RfR 1 (Children) Child Maintenance 
			   
			 RfR 2 (Working Age) Bereavement Allowance 
			  Bereavement Payments Lump Sum 
			  Incapacity Benefit 
			  Income Support 
			  Industrial Injuries 
			  Job Seeker's Allowance 
			  Maternity Allowance 
			  Severe Disablement Allowance 
			  Social Fund 
			   
			 RfR 3 (Pensioners) 65+ Age Related Payments 
			  70+ Age Related Payments 
			  70+ Payment 
			  Christmas Bonus 
			  Minimum Income Guarantee 
			  Pension Credit 
			  State Pension (Contributory) 
			  State Pension (Non-contributory) 
			  Winter Fuel Payments 
			   
			 RfR 4 (Disabled) Attendance Allowance 
			  Carer's Allowance 
			  Disability Living Allowance 
			  Vaccine Damage Payments 
			   
			 RfR 5 (Corporate Services) No direct benefits attributed to this RfR 
		
	
	The information contained in the table is collected and collated via departmental accounting systems.

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases of  (a) fraud and  (b) error there have been in the administration of (i) income support, (ii) jobseeker's allowance and (iii) housing benefit in each quarter in the last 10 years, broken down by region.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available prior to 2001-02 and is not available by quarter.
	The Department's measurement system for fraud and error does not estimate the number of cases of fraud or error over a given period. It does provide estimates of the average proportion and number of claims that are fraudulent or in error at any one time during a year.
	Estimates at regional level have been produced for income support and jobseeker's allowance, and published as National Statistics from 2001-02 onwards. These estimates are reproduced in the following tables. These estimates are based on a sampling exercise, and are subject to a degree of statistical variation. At regional level the sample sizes are small, so the uncertainty around the estimates is relatively large.
	Estimates for Housing Benefit have not been produced at regional level. Estimates at national level of the proportion of cases that are paid incorrectly through fraud and error since 2002-03 can be found at:
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd2/fem/fem_apr05_mar06_ new.xls
	
		
			  Estimates of the average number of incorrect cases in Income Support at any one time, 2001-02 to 2005-06 
			  Government office region  Fraud  Customer  e rror  Official error  Total 
			  2001-02 
			 North East 6,000 6,000 8,000 20,000 
			 North West 18,000 17,000 21,000 53,000 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 11,000 8,000 17,000 35,000 
			 East Midlands 5,000 8,000 11,000 21,000 
			 West Midlands 9,000 9,000 19,000 35,000 
			 East 5,000 9,000 14,000 26,000 
			 London 25,000 21,000 33,000 73,000 
			 South East 16,000 12,000 22,000 45,000 
			 South West 7,000 13,000 10,000 27,000 
			 Wales 6,000 6,000 8,000 20,000 
			 Scotland 18,000 17,000 21,000 53,000 
			  
			  2002-03 
			 North East 4,000 7,000 9,000 19,000 
			 North West 17,000 16,000 28,000 59,000 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 13,000 8,000 18,000 38,000 
			 East Midlands 5,000 8,000 10,000 22,000 
			 West Midlands 6,000 11,000 16,000 30,000 
			 East 5,000 10,000 11,000 24,000 
			 London 23,000 16,000 47,000 81,000 
			 South East 14,000 12,000 26,000 48,000 
			 South West 6,000 10,000 10,000 25,000 
			 Wales 7,000 4,000 11,000 22,000 
			 Scotland 13,000 8,000 12,000 31 ,000 
			  
			  2003-04 
			 North East 5,000 5,000 12,000 21,000 
			 North West 13,000 17,000 35,000 60,000 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 7,000 12,000 20,000 37,000 
			 East Midlands 3,000 7,000 14,000 22,000 
			 West Midlands 6,000 13,000 18,000 35,000 
			 East 4,000 9,000 15,000 27,000 
			 London 13,000 21,000 43,000 73,000 
			 South East 15,000 13,000 25,000 49,000 
			 South West 4,000 9,000 12,000 24,000 
			 Wales 5,000 6,000 11,000 20,000 
			 Scotland 10,000 12,000 19,000 39,000 
			  
			  2004-05 
			 North East 5,000 6,000 12,000 22,000 
			 North West 10,000 18,000 29,000 54,000 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 6,000 8,000 20,000 33,000 
			 East Midlands 2,000 8,000 13,000 20,000 
			 West Midlands 6,000 13,000 23,000 41,000 
			 East 3,000 10,000 19,000 30,000 
			 London 11,000 19,000 48,000 74,000 
			 South East 10,000 15,000 25,000 45,000 
			 South West 3,000 8,000 15,000 24,000 
			 Wales 5,000 7,000 14,000 25,000 
			 Scotland 7,000 14,000 17,000 36,000 
			  
			  2005-06 
			 North East 4,000 7,000 7,000 17,000 
			 North West 6,000 13,000 23,000 44,000 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 8,000 11,000 14,000 33,000 
			 East Midlands 1,000 9,000 8,000 17,000 
			 West Midlands 2,000 12,000 15,000 28,000 
			 East 3,000 13,000 9,000 26,000 
			 London 13,000 30,000 36,000 78,000 
			 South East 7,000 15,000 22,000 44,000 
			 South West 3,000 12,000 11,000 24,000 
			 Wales 4,000 5,000 12,000 21,000 
			 Scotland 5,000 14,000 11,000 29,000 
		
	
	
		
			  Estimates of average numbers of incorrect cases in Jobseeker's Allowance at any one time 
			  Government office region  Fraud  Customer error  Official error  Total 
			  2001-02 
			 North East 3,000 1,000 2,000 6,000 
			 North West 8,000 2,000 7,000 16,000 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 7,000 2,000 7,000 15,000 
			 East Midlands 3,000 1,000 6,000 9,000 
			 West Midlands 6,000 1,000 5,000 12,000 
			 East 3,000 2,000 5,000 9,000 
			 London 15,000 4,000 13,000 31,000 
			 South East 5,000 1,000 4,000 10,000 
			 South West 3,000 2,000 3,000 7,000 
			 Wales 2,000 1,000 2,000 5,000 
			 Scotland 6,000 1,000 5,000 12,000 
			  
			  2002-03 
			 North East 2,000 1,000 2,000 5,000 
			 North West 5,000 3,000 7,000 14,000 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 3,000 2,000 4,000 8,000 
			 East Midlands 3,000 1,000 4,000 8,000 
			 West Midlands 5,000 2,000 4,000 11,000 
			 East 3,000 2,000 4,000 9,000 
			 London 10,000 2,000 17,000 28,000 
			 South East 5,000 2,000 7,000 12,000 
			 South West 2,000 2,000 5,000 8,000 
			 Wales 2,000 1,000 2,000 5,000 
			 Scotland 7,000 1,000 6,000 14,000 
			  
			  2003-04 
			 North East 3,000 1,000 3,000 6,000 
			 North West 4,000 4,000 8,000 15,000 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 2,000 3,000 5,000 10,000 
			 East Midlands 2,000 2,000 4,000 7,000 
			 West Midlands 3,000 4,000 5,000 11,000 
			 East 1,000 3,000 4,000 8,000 
			 London 6,000 6,000 18,000 29,000 
			 South East 4,000 3,000 8,000 14,000 
			 South West 1,000 2,000 5,000 8,000 
			 Wales 1,000 2,000 2,000 5,000 
			 Scotland 4,000 3,000 6,000 13,000 
			  
			  2004-05 
			 North East 1,000 1,000 2,000 4,000 
			 North West 2,000 3,000 4,000 9,000 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 2,000 2,000 4,000 7,000 
			 East Midlands 0 2,000 2,000 4,000 
			 West Midlands 1,000 3,000 3,000 7,000 
			 East 1,000 2,000 4,000 6,000 
			 London 4,000 6,000 14,000 22,000 
			 South East 3,000 3,000 6,000 10,000 
			 South West 1,000 1,000 2,000 4,000 
			 Wales 1,000 1,000 1,000 3,000 
			 Scotland 2,000 3,000 4,000 9,000 
			  
			  2005-06 
			 North East 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 
			 North West 4,000 2,000 5,000 9,000 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 3,000 1,000 3,000 7,000 
			 East Midlands 0 1,000 3,000 4,000 
			 West Midlands 1,000 3,000 4,000 6,000 
			 East 1,000 1,000 3,000 5,000 
			 London 3,000 2,000 7,000 11,000 
			 South East 1,000 2,000 3,000 6,000 
			 South West 1,000 1,000 3,000 5,000 
			 Wales 1,000 0 2,000 3,000 
			 Scotland 1,000 2,000 2,000 5,000 
			  Notes: 1. The estimates are of the average number of cases that were incorrect at any point during the year. They are not estimates of the total number of individual cases affected during the year. 2. Estimates are of incorrectness, so include both overpayments and underpayments. 3. Estimates are rounded to the nearest 1,000. An entry of zero indicates an estimate of less than 500. 4. There is some overlap between the fraud and error categories, as it is possible for example for an official to make an error on a case that is already fraudulent. This means that the customer error and official error estimates should not be summed to give an overall error estimate. 5. Income support estimates refer only to working age claimants.

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department are taking to tackle benefit fraud by UK nationals abroad.

James Plaskitt: The Department has in place, and is extending coverage of, a range of measures to address the risks of fraud by UK nationals abroad. These included acquisition of foreign death data, independent certification that overseas customers are still alive, location of DWP representatives overseas and joint collaboration agreements with other countries.

Social Security Benefits: Pensioners

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the proportion of pensioners eligible for means tested support who did not claim their full entitlement in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Mike O'Brien: Estimates of take-up rates and the number of pensioners not claiming pension credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit are available in the DWP publication series entitled Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-up. Copies of the latest publication, plus past reports, can be found in the Library.

State Retirement Pensions

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many errors were made in the payment of retirement pensions in the last 12 months; and in how many of those cases it was not possible to give an explanation of the error to the pensioner concerned.

Mike O'Brien: Results from the most recent full year (2006-07) show that The Pension Service achieved 96.76 per cent. accuracy (excluding errors of less than 1.50 per week).
	When amending a State Pension payment The Pension Service's standard practice is to issue a letter advising the customer that a new amount of benefit is due and when this change is due to take effect. Customers are also advised to contact The Pension Service if they have any questions about their benefit.

Tribunals

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many unfair dismissal employment tribunals his Department has been involved in in the last 10 years; what the grounds were for each case brought; in how many cases the employment tribunal found in favour of the former employee; and what action was taken by his Department to change its working practices as a result of such cases.

Anne McGuire: Information on the number and outcome of unfair dismissal cases is not recorded centrally and to collate it for the requested period prior to October 2005 would incur a disproportionate cost.
	Since October 2005, the Department has been involved in 235 unfair dismissal cases of which the outcome of three has been an employment tribunal finding in favour of the claimant. Of those three cases two are the subject of ongoing appeals. In 34 cases the outcome has either not been recorded or, where the case is ongoing, has not been reached.
	Information on the grounds of and the resulting changes in working practice resulting from each unfair dismissal case is not recorded centrally and to collate it would incur a disproportionate cost.

Winter Fuel Payments

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the number of single  (a) women and  (b) men who will have reached the age of 60 after the qualifying week for winter fuel payment eligibility in 2007, but before 29 February 2008.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 23 January 2008
	 We estimate that 170,00 single women and 160,000 single men will have reached the age of 60 years after the end of the qualifying week for winter fuel payment eligibility in 2007 but before 29 February 2008.
	 Note:
	Estimates are based on the Office for National Statistics' published '2006-based' population projections.

Wirral International Business Park

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of additional jobs resulting from the developments of  (a) Wirral International Business Park and  (b) the Croft Retail Park in Bromborough; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 1 February 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking for the number of additional jobs resulting from the developments of (a) Wirral International Business Park, and the Croft Retail Park in Bromborough. (181447).
	Unfortunately, the information requested is not available at this detailed level.

HEALTH

Antibiotics: Health Education

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) posters and  (b) leaflets are being produced (i) in total and (ii) per GP surgery for his Department's campaign on the unnecessary use of antibiotics to be launched in February 2008.

Ann Keen: The antibiotic campaign consists of one leaflet and three posters. We are publishing a total of 450,000 leaflets and 120,000 posters. 10 copies of the leaflet and one poster will be sent to each general practitioner practice along with an order form for further copies if required. Copies of the leaflet and posters will also be available from the Department's website.

Basildon Hospital: Clostridium

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of C. difficile were recorded in Basildon Hospital in each of the last two years; what proportion of patients admitted to Basildon Hospital this represents in each of those years; and how these figures compare with equivalent figures from other NHS hospitals in  (a) Essex and  (b) England.

Ann Keen: holding answer 30 January 2008
	 The information requested is not available.
	The best available information is from the mandatory surveillance system operated for the Department by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). This provides data on the number of reports of  Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile) infection. All acute national health service trusts in England are obliged to report all cases of  C. difficile infection processed by their laboratories and the data are published at trust level.
	Basildon hospital is part of the Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the following table shows the number of  C. difficile infection reported for patients aged 65 years and over in the trust compared to other trusts in Essex and the total number in England for the last two full years.
	The proportion of patients admitted to trusts compared to the number of  C . difficile cases is not available. However the table shows the rate per 1,000 bed-days for patients aged 65 and over for the last two years of figures available.
	The rate published by the HPA uses the total number of nights spent in hospital by patients aged 65 years and over for the relevant time period to calculate a rate of  C. difficile infection per 1,000 bed-days.
	
		
			   January to December 2005  January to December 2006 
			  Trust  Number of C. difficile reports for patients   65 years  Rate per 1,000 bed-days for patients   65 years  Number of C. difficile reports for patients   65 years  Rate per 1,000 bed-days for patients   65 years 
			 Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 470 3.32 545 3.85 
			 Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust 328 2.33 295 2.09 
			 Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust 268 2.12 277 2.19 
			 Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 369 2.43 352 2.32 
			 England national total 51,829 2.23 55,620 2.38

Bowel Cancer: Screening

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the number of  (a) radiologists,  (b) pathologists,  (c) surgeons and  (d) specialist nurses to support national bowel cancer screening programme objectives and delivery of the 18 week pathway.

Ann Keen: Service transformation, supported by the significant increase in the work force since 1997, new ways of working and productivity gains, will enable 18 weeks to be delivered and sustained.
	Expansion of medical and nurse training has supported the planned expansion of the national health service work force which was part of the NHS Plan.
	The number of consultants working in the relevant three specialties in 1997 and 2006 and the percentage change is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Hospital and community health services: Medical and dental staff showing consultants working within specified speciality groups, as at 30 September each year 
			  Number (headcount) and percentage 
			   1997  2006  Change 1997-2006  Percentage change 1997-2006 
			 Pathology group 2,884 3,956 1,072 37.2 
			  O f which : 
			 Consultant 1,838 2,416 578 31.4 
			  
			 Radiology group 2,064 3,204 1,140 55.2 
			  O f which : 
			 Consultant 1,473 2,105 632 42.9 
			  
			 Surgical group 13,394 19,425 6,031 45.0 
			  O f which : 
			 Consultant 4,094 6,129 2,035 49.7 
		
	
	Data on specialist nurses to support the national bowel screening programme are not collected centrally and commissioning of specialist nurses is driven by the local health care needs.

Cancer: Gastrointestinal System

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting times from referral to treatment were for upper and lower gastrointestinal cancers, broken down by condition, in the latest period for which figures are available.

Ann Keen: Statistics on average waiting times for cancer patients and average waiting times for specific cancer conditions are not collected centrally. The cancer waiting time standard of a maximum wait of 62 days from urgent referral for suspected cancer to first cancer treatment was introduced for all cancer patients from December 2005. In the last quarter for which figures are available (July to September 2007) performance against this standard was 97.2 per cent.

Cannabis: Misuse

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will consider introducing measures to require the manufacturers of cigarette rolling papers to print health warnings on their products on the dangers of cannabis use.

Dawn Primarolo: Current legislation does not require the display of health warnings on cigarette rolling papers. Currently, health warnings are only required to be displayed on tobacco products, as defined in the Tobacco Products (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale) (Safety) Regulations 2002.
	As set out in the Cancer Reform Strategy, published in December 2007, the Department will consult on the next steps in tobacco control and the further regulation of tobacco products. This consultation will take place during spring 2008.

Cardiovascular System: Screening

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether the roll out of the national screening programme for cardiovascular disease will be incremental with an initial focus on high risk groups;
	(2)  how much funding for the implementation of the national screening programme for cardiovascular disease has been allocated in each of the next three years; from what budget it will be drawn; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  whether additional resources will be made available to support and treat those patients identified as high risk for cardiovascular disease following their screening by the new programme in England and Wales.

Ann Keen: The Prime Minister announced on 7 January that proposals were under development for a vascular risk programme. A departmental project is currently underway to assess the costs and benefits of an integrated, systematic population-wide vascular risk screening programme. This would be focused on the shared risk factors for conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease and as such would use an assessment of risk based on a range of known predictive factors including age, gender, smoking status, body mass index, high blood pressure, and cholesterol and glucose, as appropriate.
	This project will include estimating the amount of preventive work currently carried out by general practitioner surgeries and the impact of the introduction of a vascular screening programme.
	The exact nature of a vascular risk assessment and management programme, including details of operational timescales for implementing the programme, are still the subject of developmental work.

Central Lancashire Primary Care Trust: Dental Services

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been allocated to the Central Lancashire Primary Care Trust for the provision of NHS dental services in 2007-08.

Ann Keen: The Central Lancashire Primary Care Trust (PCT) received a net allocation of 18.923 million for the funding of primary dental services in 2007-08. In addition, the PCT receives the benefit of all national health service dental charge income paid by patients attending local practices to help meet the gross cost of commissioning services from dental providers.
	PCTs are also able to apply to their strategic health authority for separate, non-recurrent supplementary allocations to meet the costs associated with any recently qualified dentists who join local practices as dental vocational trainees for an initial period of training and supervised clinical experience.

Central Lancashire Primary Care Trust: Dental Services

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many enquiries were received by the Central Lancashire Primary Care Trust on access to NHS dentists in each of the last three years.

Ann Keen: This information is not held centrally and may instead be available from the Central Lancashire Primary Care Trust.

Cervical Cancer: Death

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women  (a) under 25,  (b) 25 to 35,  (c) 35 to 50,  (d) 50 to 60 and  (e) over 60 years of age died from cervical cancer in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Angela Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 4 February 2008:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many women (a) under 25, (b) 25 to 35, (c) 35 to 50, (d) 50 to 60 and (e) over 60 years of age died from cervical cancer in each of the last five years for which figures are available. (183762)
	The table below contains the number of deaths where the underlying cause was cervical cancer, by age, in England and Wales from 2002 to 2006, the latest year for which data are available.
	
		
			  Number of deaths from cervical cancer( 1)  by age group, England and Wales, 2002-2006( 2) 
			   Under 25  25-34  35-49  50-59  60+  All ages 
			 2002 5 37 188 173 600 1,003 
			 2003 7 49 170 150 577 953 
			 2004 9 44 167 168 563 951 
			 2005 2 51 170 153 541 917 
			 2006 4 52 168 132 475 831 
			 (1 )Selected using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code C53. (2 )Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year.

Clostridium: Screening

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department intends to bring forward proposals to screen all patients entering NHS hospitals in England for  C lostridium difficile.

Ann Keen: We are introducing universal screening for methicillin-resistant  Staphylococcus aureus for all elective patients by March 2009 and for all emergency patients as soon as possible over the next three years. This will reduce the likelihood of a patient developing a clinical infection or passing it on to others in hospital who may be vulnerable.
	We have considered whether universal screening of patients for  Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile) is the best way forward for the national health service. However, the current clinical evidence does not suggest that universal screening would be clinically effective as universal screening would not identify the majority of patients who might be carrying  C. difficile bacteria, and patients without symptoms are not considered to present an increased risk of infecting others. This is why we are targeting high risk patients for  C .  difficile screening. All over 65s in hospital with diarrhoea already should be screened for  C . difficile as set out in current guidance. This will ensure the infection is identified quickly and appropriate measures are taken to treat the patient and minimise infection of other patients.
	The measures for tackling health care associated infections such as  C. difficile are set out in Health Protection Agency guidance, the 'Saving Lives' programme and 'Clean, safe care' strategy.
	We will keep the clinical evidence for further  C. difficile screening under review and will act quickly in response to new and emerging evidence.

Commercial Directorate: Operating Costs

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the costs of running the Commercial Directorate since it was established.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 28 January 2008
	The Department's Commercial Directorate was established in 2003-04. The direct running costs to 2007-08, which relate to civil servant pay and non-pay costs, are shown in the following table:
	
		
			million 
			 2003-04  
			 2004-05 0.5 
			 2005-06 1.0 
			 2006-07 0.8 
			 2007-08(1) 0.9 
			 Total 3.2 
			 (1) Forecast.

Departmental E-mail

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to reduce the number of hard copies of e-mails printed by officials in his Department.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department has taken steps, over a number of years, to encourage staff not to print off e-mails, and other documents, unnecessarily. In particular, the following actions have been taken:
	at staff sustainable development awareness events one of the major messages has been that staff should not print unless strictly necessary;
	over the past 12 months the Department has introduced a new managed print service where existing printers, photocopiers and fax machines have been replaced by multi-function devices. This has reduced the number of print devices by three-quarters. The ratio of staff to printers has reduced from 3:1 to an average of 10:1. The fact that most staff must now walk further to collect their printing is seen as a disincentive. Where printing is necessary the default on the new printers is duplex which reduces the amount of paper used. As computers are renewed we also have a policy to supply these with larger screens, to better enable staff to read their documents on screen;
	all staff in Information Services Directorate have an environmental strapline on their e-mails. Although this is changed regularly, previous straplines have reminded staff not to print unnecessarily. Other groups within the Department have adopted similar straplines; and
	the amount of waste paper generated in the Department has reduced from 522 tonnes in 2004-05 to 329 tonnes in 2006-07, a reduction of 37 per cent. This greatly exceeds the Government target to reduce overall waste arisings by 5 per cent. by 2010. While there are a number of factors that have influenced this figure, it does indicate that printing of ephemeral documents (which are destined for the waste bin) has reduced.

Diabetes: Children

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will consider implementing a screening programme for type 1 diabetes in children;
	(2)  what guidance his Department has issued to schools on managing children with type 1 diabetes;
	(3)  what information his Department provides for parents on the causes and symptoms of type 1 diabetes in children;
	(4)  how many children were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the years  (a) 2004-05,  (b) 2005-06 and  (c) 2006-07;
	(5)  what steps he is taking to include screening for type 1 diabetes in children in the health screening programme recently announced by the Prime Minister.

Ann Keen: holding answer 31 January 2008
	 Caring for children and young people with diabetes is fundamentally different from providing services for adults. It is a complex process that must be focused firmly on the child or young person and their family and/or other carers, supported by the skills and experiences of a wide range of healthcare professionals.
	It is not currently possible to screen for type 1 diabetes in children. The Department therefore has no plans to implement a screening programme for type 1 diabetes in children. The onset of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes develops quickly, and they usually require immediate medical attention.
	The Prime Minister's announcement on 7 January 2008 outlined plans to develop a programme of vascular risk assessment, which includes diabetes. Proposals for this programme will be brought forward later in the year, but this will be a programme for adults.
	The Department does not collect data about the number of children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. However, the current estimate of prevalence in the United Kingdom is one per 700-1,000 children, yielding a total of population of people with type 1 diabetes aged 25 years in the UK of approximately 25,000.
	In April 2007, the Department of Health published Making Every Young Person with Diabetes Matter, the report of the Children and Young People with Diabetes Working Group, which looked at ways to improve diabetes services for children and young people. This report includes guidance on the management and support of type 1 diabetes in children and young people. Parents can also access guidance about the causes and symptoms of type 1 diabetes from the Diabetes UK website at:
	www.diabetes.org.uk
	and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at:
	www.jdrf.org.uk.
	The Department for Children, Schools and Families, in close liaison with the Department, has issued guidance for schools on the development of policies for the management and administration of pupils' medicines, and to help them put in place systems for supporting individual pupils with medical needs, including type 1 diabetes. The guidance is available at:
	http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/healthandsafety/medical/

Dietary Supplements: EU Law

David Tredinnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 25 October 2007,  Official Report, column 552W, on dietary supplements: EU law, whether the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has received responses from the Governments of Jersey and Guernsey to the letters it sent on 10 September 2007; and when a collective meeting with the representatives of these Governments is planned to take place.

Dawn Primarolo: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has not received responses from the Governments of Jersey and Guernsey to the letters sent on the 10 September 2007 and no meetings have been arranged with the FSA.

Fluoride: Children

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what advice his Department has issued to  (a) parents and  (b) dentists on the prevention of dental fluorosis in children;
	(2)  what assessment his Department has made of the causes of dental fluorosis in children, other than that of fluoride added to the water supply.

Ann Keen: Dental fluorosis is characterised by a flecking, or more rarely a mottling, of teeth, often only visible when teeth are dried. If severe, it may give some people concern about the appearance of their teeth. It does not, however, affect the extra resistance to dental decay provided by exposure to fluoride. It is often caused by very young children swallowing fluoride toothpaste unsupervised. When parents or dentists make inquiries, they are referred to advice contained in Delivering Better Oral Health: An evidence based toolkit for prevention, which was issued to all national health service general dental practices in November 2007. The guide, advises that
	Children under 3 years should use no more than a smear of toothpaste .... And must not be permitted to eat or lick toothpaste from the tube.

Fluoride: Children

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned on the prevalence of dental fluorosis in children under the age of 10 years.

Ann Keen: To date, experience of researching fluorosis shows that there are wide differences in subjective assessments even when they are made by dentists on dried teeth. We are therefore supporting a research project on the use of intra-oral cameras to assess the extent of fluorosis. If, as we expect, the research shows that the measurement of dental fluorosis can be standardised, we will undertake a further study of its prevalence and aesthetic impact.

Gastrointestinal System: Health Services

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many specialist gastroenterology units there are  (a) in England and  (b) in each region of England;
	(2)  how many people in England have a gastrointestinal disease, broken down by condition; what plans he has for a National Service Framework for gastroenterology; and how many  (a) gastroenterological consultants and  (b) specialist gastroenterologist training posts there were in the national health service in England in each of the last five years.

Ann Keen: Data are not held centrally on specialist gastroenterology units. Data are not held in the form requested for people in England with gastrointestinal disease. The Department does not currently have plans for a national service framework for gastro-intestinal disease.
	However, the following table sets out the medical staff within gastroenterology.
	
		
			  Hospital and community health services: medical staff within gastroenterology showing consultants and doctors on training and equivalents by grade: England at 30 September each year 
			  Number (headcount) 
			   2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 All staff 1,343 1,374 1,552 1,447 1,538 
			  Of which:  
			 Consultant 599 638 674 669 639 
			   
			 Doctors in training and equivalents 585 581 732 675 772 
			   
			 Registrar Group(1) 367 356 407 396 457 
			 Senior House Officer 140 151 222 188 163 
			 Foundation year 2 (2) (2) (2) (2) 44 
			 House Officer 78 74 103 91 108 
			 (1) The majority of staff within this grade are specialist registrars. These doctors are undertaking specialist training within their chosen specialty. (2 )Denotes not applicable.  Source:  The Information Centre for health and social care Medical and Dental Workforce Census

Health Services: Greater London

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost was of the Healthcare for London consultation for  (a) events,  (b) fees for producing the logos, names and other marketing materials,  (c) other fees to consultants,  (d) printing costs,  (e) distribution costs,  (f) staff costs and  (g) other costs in each financial year.

Ben Bradshaw: The information is not held centrally.
	Proposals for changes to services are a matter for the national health service locally. The Department does not hold information on the detailed breakdown of Healthcare for London coststhis is available directly from NHS London.
	The hon. Member may wish to raise this issue locally with NHS London.

Heart Diseases: Medical Treatments

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated cost of treating coronary heart disease was to the NHS in the last year for which information is available.

Ann Keen: The estimated cost of treating coronary heart disease to the national health service in England in the last year for which information is available (2006-07) is 2.3 billion.

Heart Diseases: Medical Treatments

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the proportion of the decline in mortality from coronary heart disease which is attributable to treatment of individuals at risk in each year since 1997 for which figures are available.

Ann Keen: In 2004 the national health service's Health Development Agency published a briefing paper entitled Relative contributions of changes in risk factors and treatment to the reduction in coronary heart disease mortality which states that in the period 1981-2000, approximately 42 per cent. of the mortality decrease was attributable to medical and surgical treatments. This means that about 58 per cent. of the decline in mortality was attributable to the change in risk factors, with the largest proportion coming from a fall in smoking prevalence.
	A copy of the briefing paper has been placed in the Library and is also available at:
	www.nice.org.uk/niceMedia/documents/CHD_Briefing_ nov_04.pdf

Hospital Infections

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital-acquired infections there were in each London hospital in the most recent period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: The steps being taken to reduce the incidents of health care associated infections are summarised in the written ministerial statement on 9 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 9-10WS, that accompanies the launch of a new comprehensive strategy, 'Clean, Safe Care: Reducing infections and saving lives' to tackle health care associated infections and improve cleanliness in the national health service. A copy is available in the Library.
	The strategy draws together recent initiatives and details new areas where the NHS should invest Government funding of 270 million per year by 2010-11. It also sets out where there are new national expectations and requirements, for example about the new national target for  Clostridium difficile and the requirements for the deep cleaning every hospital by March 2008. It also outlines areas, such as investment in infection control nurses, pharmacists and isolation nurses, that NHS organisations should consider when developing their local plans.

Hospitals: Cleaning Services

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what work his Department has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated on the effectiveness of different cleaning products to combat healthcare-acquired infections since 1997.

Ann Keen: The Department of Health has commissioned work from University college London, examining the use of microfibre cloths and steam cleaning. The findings of this work were published in An integrated approach to hospital cleaning: microfibre cloth and steam cleaning technology and Review of evidence: Microfibre cloth and steam cleaning technology. Copies of both reports following this work have been placed in the Library.
	In addition, the Department established the Rapid Review Panel in 2004. The Panel is serviced by the Health Protection Agency and provides a prompt assessment of the potential of new and novel equipment, materials, and other products or protocols that may support the national health service in improving hospital infection control and reducing hospital acquired infections.
	Further information on the Rapid Review Panel and on the products it has considered to date can be found at:
	http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/rapid_review/default.htm

Hospitals: Infectious Diseases

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the calculation was made of 40 million as a contingency fund against healthcare-associated infection claims.

Ann Keen: The 40 million is not a contingency fund.
	For each notified claim, the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) (which handles clinical negligence claims on behalf of the national health service) applies recognised accounting treatment to record a 'provision' in its accounts. This is the likely value of the claim adjusted to take account of the likelihood of settling the claim at that value, adjusted for the likely timing of the settlement.
	The 40 million is the gross value of the provisions held by the NHSLA relating to healthcare associated infection (HCAI) claimsthe current view of the maximum financial exposure should all HCAI claims be settled today at the full value currently held in the claims files.

Liver Diseases

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated by his Department since July 2000 on the causes of liver disease; when his Department last undertook a review of the causes of liver disease that took into account (i) UK and (ii) international research; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: I have been asked to reply.
	The Department provides funding to the Medical Research Council (MRC) for research into human diseases. The MRC does not commission research, but welcomes proposals for research in all areas of its remit. The MRC spent the following amounts on research into liver disease (including hepatitis), including work on the cause of disease:
	
		
			million 
			 2000-01 3.5 
			 2001-02 3.9 
			 2002-03 4.5 
			 2003-04 5.1 
			 2004-05 4.3 
			 2005-06 5.0 
		
	
	Three of the Biomedical Research Centres formed and funded by the Department of Health, as part of the implementation of the Government's research strategy Best Research for Best Health, propose to undertake research on the causes, diagnosis and treatment of liver disease. The Department of Health is in addition funding research on the pharmacogenetics of antimicrobial drug-induced liver injury.
	In August 2007 the Department of Health commissioned a rapid review of the evidence relating to liver disease epidemiology, treatment and services, so as to help inform decisions on the possibility of developing a strategy for liver disease. The review, completed in December, included the primary causes of liver disease (alcohol misuse, viral hepatitis and obesity), and took into account both UK and international research.

Local Involvement Network: Oxfordshire

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the local involvement network to begin work in Oxfordshire; what the network's  (a) budget for each of the next three years and  (b) terms of reference will be; and what procedures there are for monitoring of the process of selection of the host organisation of the network.

Ann Keen: Work to establish a local involvement network (LINk) in the Oxfordshire local authority area is well under way and officers are currently consulting with existing patient and public involvement forums, the voluntary sector and other stakeholders on both the Terms of Reference for the LINk and the detail of the service specification for the LINk host organisation. This work is scheduled to be completed by the end of February.
	Oxfordshire county council is being allocated the sum of 222,000 in 2008-09 for the establishment of its LINk, with indicative figures of 223,000 for 2009-10 and 223,000 for 2010-11.
	Those involved in the LINk, be they members of the local patient and public involvement forums or other key stakeholders, will be fully involved in agreeing the terms of reference, selecting the host organisation, and monitoring the performance of the host.
	It is anticipated that a service specification will be put out to tender in early March, with a host organisation to be selected in May and the LINk being formally established by September.

Local Involvement Networks

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will make it his policy to provide a financial loss allowance for members of local involvement networks;
	(2)  if he will make it his policy to ensure that Local Involvement Networks (LINks) members are paid reasonable expenses by the host body when they undertake activities on behalf of a LINk.

Ann Keen: Patient and public involvement is key to developing and delivering responsive and accountable health and social care services. For effective involvement, people need to feel supported and that their contribution has been valued. This can be done in a number of ways, including participants being thanked and their contribution acknowledged.
	It will be for each Local Involvement Network (LINk) to determine its own policy regarding payment and reimbursement. However, we will remind LINks and host organisations that the Department of Health's 'Reward and Recognition: The Principles and Practice of Service User Payment and Reimbursement in Health and Social Care, A Guide for Service Providers, Service Users and Carers' document provides a useful guide for service providers, users and carers on the principles and practice of service user payment and reimbursement in health and social care. A copy of the document has been placed in the Library and is also available at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4138523

Local Involvement Networks

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that local involvement networks are funded to establish regional and national networks to monitor  (a) cancer networks,  (b) mental health services and  (c) ambulance services.

Ann Keen: While local involvement networks (LINks) will be independent and will have the power to develop their own priorities and agendas, they will need to develop relationships with a number of stakeholders to fulfil their statutory role effectively. In certain circumstances, LINks may want to work in partnership to monitor services provided by, for example, cancer networks, mental health services or ambulance trusts, across more than one local authority boundary. LINks may also wish to work together in regional groups, or even nationally to share experience and findings. There is nothing to prevent LINks using some of their funding to establish local, regional or national networks if they so wish.

Local Involvement Networks

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure Local Involvement Networks (LINks) members are provided with indemnity by his Department in respect of their reasonable activities on behalf of a LINk.

Ann Keen: It will be for local authorities to determine their own policies regarding local involvement networks (LINks) and indemnity. Authorities may choose to indemnify certain LINks' members directly or stipulate that host organisations must make arrangements to do so as part of their LINks' contracts.

Macular Degeneration

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of primary care trusts in England which have adopted the latest interim guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on treatment for patients with wet eye age-related macular degeneration.

Ann Keen: We have made no estimate of the number of primary care trusts (PCTs) that have adopted the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's (NICE'S) draft guidance on Lucentis and Macugen for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. The Government issued good practice guidance to the national health service in December 2006 that reiterated the message that, in the absence of final NICE guidance, primary care trusts should continue to make local arrangements for the introduction of new technologies. These arrangements should include an assessment of the available evidence.
	NICE is currently appraising Lucentis and Macugen as treatments for age-related macular degeneration. NICE published a second appraisal consultation document on 14 December 2007. The consultation closed on 14 January 2008 and final guidance is expected in June.

Mental Health Services: Adult Education

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the preventative effects in relation to mental health of promoting mental activity through adult education courses; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: I have been asked to reply.
	Discussions have taken place at a ministerial level with a wide range of Departments and we will continue to work closely with ministerial colleagues to ensure that people can lead healthy and fulfilling lives by participating fully in work, education and society as a whole. We want to raise people's aspirations and significantly broaden participation, progression and achievement in learning by creating the best learning offer possible and enabling individuals and communities to improve and prosper.
	We recognise the many wider benefits of participation in learning and its vital contribution to personal health and well-being, community involvement and quality of life, especially as people age. Learning helps people to fulfil themselves as active citizens and as members of their families and communities. People who keep mentally and physically active not only live longer but live happier and more fulfilled lives and pursuing learning can play a real part in this. Our Skills and Skills for Life Strategies, the Employability Skills Programme and projects like Skilled for Health will ensure the continuing availability of a wide range of learning opportunities in every area for adult learners, including older people. In addition, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, launched a consultation on informal adult learning on 15 January 2008 which will look specifically at improving synergy across informal adult learning funded by all Government Departments.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average number of cases of MRSA recorded in NHS hospitals was in 2007; and how many such cases were recorded at the University Hospital of North Durham in the same period.

Ann Keen: holding answer 30 January 2008
	The best available information is from the mandatory surveillance system operated for the Department by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). This provides data on the number of reports of methicillin-resistant  Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream (bacteraemia) infections. All acute national health service trusts in England are obliged to report all cases of MRSA bacteraemia infection processed by their laboratories and the data are published at trust level.
	MRSA bacteraemia data are currently available for the first three quarters of 2007 only (January to September). During these nine months, 3,823 episodes of MRSA bacteraemia were reported by acute NHS trusts in England.
	University Hospital of North Durham is part of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, which reported 34 episodes of MRSA bacteraemia between January and September 2007.
	The HPA does not publish average counts for comparative purposes, as this does not take account of differences between trusts in terms of factors such as size and case mix. National and trust rates are published which allow more valid comparison by taking account of variations in levels of activity.
	During the nine-month period January 2007-September 2007, the MRSA bacteraemia rate at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust was 1.45 cases per 10,000 bed-days, compared to a national rate of 1.34 cases per 10,000 bed-days.

Negligence: Greater London

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) claims and  (b) settlements for clinical negligence (i) were made in each of the last three years and (ii) have been made in 2007-08 for cases arising from (A) Barnet and Chase Farm, (B) Royal Free and (C) Northwick Park hospitals; and how much compensation was paid by each hospital in each year.

Ann Keen: The information requested is in the following four tables. The National Health Service Litigation Authority supplied the data.
	
		
			  Number of clinical negligence claims received by the NHS Litigation Authority 2004-05 to 2007-08 as at 31 December 2007 for specified trusts 
			   NHS  litigation authority notification year 
			  Trust  name  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  Total 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust 39 31 30 20 120 
			 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust 49 45 36 25 155 
			 Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust 25 20 30 21 96 
			 Total 113 96 96 66 371 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of clinical negligence claims settled 2004-05 to 2007-08 as at 31 December 2007 for specified trusts 
			   Settlement  year 
			  Trust  name  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  Total 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust 36 41 32 23 132 
			 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust 42 37 42 32 153 
			 Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust 28 30 20 21 99 
			 Total 106 108 94 76 384 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of clinical negligence claims settled with damages 2004-05 to 2007-08 as at 31 December 2007 for specified trusts 
			   Settlement  year 
			  Trust  name  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  Total 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust 23 25 19 15 82 
			 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust 30 22 28 24 104 
			 Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust 17 20 12 13 62 
			 Total 70 67 59 52 248 
		
	
	
		
			  Clinical negligence payments for specified trusts 2004-05 to 2007-08 as at 31 December 2007 by year of payment 
			  Trust  name  Payment  year  Damages  Defence  c osts  Claimant  costs  Total 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust 2004-05 3,447,834 391,034 1,222,274 5,061,142 
			  2005-06 2,153,553 402,769 296,592 2,852,914 
			  2006-07 1,766,719 520,499 924,756 3,211,973 
			  2007-08 1,517,518 157,136 730,610 2,405,264 
			  Total 8,885,624 1,471,438 3,174,231 13,531,293 
			   
			 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust 2004-05 1,419,276 353,864 1,367,983 3,141,123 
			  2005-06 1,188,597 300,782 259,845 1,749,224 
			  2006-07 3,784,051 255,398 635,811 4,675,260 
			  2007-08 1,147,351 177,009 402,128 1,726,488 
			  Total 7,539,275 1,087,053 2,665,767 11,292,095 
			 Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust 2004-05 1,729,388 518,411 240,671 2,488,470 
			  2005-06 1,272,601 353,396 907,132 2,533,129 
			  2006-07 1,064,319 170,952 852,721 2,087,992 
			  2007-08 1,887,016 231,123 304,736 2,422,875 
			  Total 5,953,324 1,273,882 2,305,259 9,532,465 
			  Notes:  1. The NHS Litigation Authority holds data at a trust level rather than hospital level. Data are therefore provided for the whole trust rather than for an individual hospital as requested.  2. The claims received refer to the year in which a claim was received and not the year the incident occurred.  3. Additional data have been provided to include not just the number of claims settled, but also the number of claims settled with damages.  4. The number of claims in a particular year for a trust will not necessarily be the same as the number of claims settled in the same year as claims can take a number of years to settle.

NHS: Disease Control

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what date each local NHS trust will  (a) receive the funding to recruit two additional infection control nurses and one additional antimicrobial pharmacist and  (b) be expected to have these additional staff in post.

Ann Keen: The 5 million additional funding is allocated to primary care trusts for 2008-09 and will enable each hospital trust to employ two infection control nurses, two isolation nurses and an antimicrobial pharmacist. It is up to the trust to decide on actual staff numbers in light of their specific local hygiene and infection needs and existing staff levels.

NHS: National Working Groups

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department expects national working groups to be established under the NHS Next Stage Review, as described on page 2 of Lord Darzi's letter to stakeholders, dated 20 November 2007.

Ann Keen: The memberships and terms of reference of the national working groups are available on the 'Our NHS, Our Future' website:
	www.nhs.uk/ournhs

NHS: Pay

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's policy is on the re-imbursement of home-to-work travel for community based staff who use personal cars as their private and work transport.

Ann Keen: Community-based staff are employed by the national health service, general practitioner practices and social care providers including local authorities, voluntary and private sector organisations. Reimbursement for home to work travel is a matter for employers. However, for those employed by the NHS on Agenda for Change contracts, the current policy can be found in the Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook which is available in the Library.

NHS: Pay

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to remedy problems in administering the payment of travel expenses to community based health staff; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: Community-based health staff are employed by the national health service and general practitioner practices. We are not aware of any problems in administering the payment of travel expenses to community-based health staff, which is a matter between employee and employer.

NHS: Pay

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many incidences there were of NHS staff being paid late due to problems with the payroll system in each of the last three financial years.

Ann Keen: Details of the number of incidences of national health service staff being paid late due to problems with the payroll system are not collected centrally.

NHS: Pay

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints were made by NHS staff about problems with the NHS payroll system in each of the last three financial years.

Ann Keen: Any complaints made by national health service staff about problems with the NHS payroll system is a local matter between employee, employer and their payroll provider and not collected centrally.

Nurses: Disease Control

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many infection control nurses were employed in the NHS in England in each financial year since 1997-98.

Ann Keen: This information is not collected centrally.
	The annual national health service workforce census does not separately identify the number of infection control nurses from the rest of the nursing workforce.
	Infection control nurses (ICN) should be registered nurses and are usually the only full-time members of the infection control team with full-time responsibility for infection control. ICN staffing levels are a matter for local determination.

Organs: Donors

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targets have been set for organ donation; and what performance has been against those targets in the last period for which figures are available.

Ann Keen: The Government have not set any formal performance targets in relation to organ donation.
	The Government have, however, recently accepted a number of recommendations from the Organ Donation Taskforce, which the Taskforce believe will see organ donation rates rise by 50 per cent. within five years.

Organs: Donors

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to increase the supply of donated organs; whether any discussions have taken place on creating a system of presumed consent; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: In 2006, the Organ Donation Taskforce was convened to identify barriers to organ donation, analyse factors militating against organ donation and make recommendations for increasing donation rates within existing legal frameworks. The Taskforce's report Organs for Transplants: A report from the Organ Donation Taskforce was published on 16 January 2008 and contains a number of major recommendations designed to strengthen the infrastructure for organ donation and transplantation. The Government have accepted the recommendations, in full, and implementation is already under way. Copies of the Taskforce's report are available in the Library.
	The Taskforce has now been asked to consider the implications of changing to a system of presumed consent for organ donation in the United Kingdom, including the practical, clinical, ethical, legal and societal issues. The Taskforce has established expert working groups to advise on these issues and will report initial findings to Ministers in the summer.

Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what changes have been made to the list of medical exemptions which allow patients fee free prescriptions after his Department's recent review;
	(2)  when the last time was that his Department made changes to the list of medical exemptions which allow patients free prescriptions.

Dawn Primarolo: The medical conditions which grant entitlement to free prescriptions, in England, through medical exemption certificates have not changed since their introduction in 1968.
	The Government's review of prescription charges will be inviting views shortly on options for changes to prescription charges that are cost neutral to the national health service.

Radiotherapy: Waiting Lists

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which areas will not be able to meet the December 2008 deadline for extending the 31-day standard to radiotherapy treatment as described in paragraph 4.8 of his Department's Cancer Reform Strategy.

Ann Keen: The Cancer Reform Strategy (paragraph 4.8) set a deadline for extension of the 31-day standard of December 2008 for chemotherapy and surgery. The deadline for extension of the 31-day standard for radiotherapy is December 2010. This is in recognition of the length of time needed to increase radiotherapy capacity, for example building bunkers and purchasing and installing machinery. At present, we have monitoring systems only to capture achievement against the 31-day standard for first treatments, as this is the current standard. We do not currently have data for second and subsequent treatments but we are developing systems which will allow the capture of information on achievement of the standard for radiotherapy by area before the achievement deadline.

Transplant Surgery: Death

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many letters his Department received concerning mortality rates for patients following  (a) lung transplant,  (b) heart transplant and  (c) heart and lung transplant in 2006; and how many it has received in 2007 in each case.

Ann Keen: The Department has received two letters in 2006 and one letter in 2007 concerning mortality rates for patients following heart and lung transplants.

Transplant Surgery: Kidneys

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time is for liver transplant operations in  (a) Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust and  (b) London NHS trusts.

Ann Keen: The average waiting time for a liver transplant is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Primary care trust  Number in analysis  Median waiting time (days) 
			 Barking and Dagenham; Havering; Redbridge 68 49.5 
			 All in London strategic health authority 998 57.5 
			  Note: These figures are based on actual liver only transplants, multi-organ transplants e.g. liver/kidney, are not included. They are all first graft, elective transplants, super-urgent cases are not included.

BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM

Low Carbon Buildings Programme: Grants

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many grants have been awarded under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme for each month since April 2007; and what has been the total value of grants awarded in each month.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 22 January 2008
	There have been 2,289 grant awards totalling 16,422,135 since April 2007, with the breakdown by phase and funding stream as shown in the following tables:
	
		
			  Phase 1 
			  Householders 
			  2007  Number  Amount () 
			 April 0 0.00 
			 May 301 320,770.01 
			 June 295 275,202.49 
			 July 242 229,978.76 
			 August 203 166,705.40 
			 September 213 182,713.00 
			 October 194 175,743.00 
			 November 198 189,345.00 
			 December 120 125,236.00 
		
	
	
		
			  Communities 
			  2007  Number  Amount () 
			 April 5 97,060.14 
			 May 8 132,135.00 
			 June 1 25,255.50 
			 July 2 24,699.00 
		
	
	
		
			  Stream 2A 
			  2007  Number  Amount () 
			 May 47 1,085,875 
			 August 27 659,860 
			 December 86 1,959,397 
		
	
	
		
			  Stream 2B 
			  2007  Number  Amount () 
			 May 6 2,270,466 
			 August 5 911,706 
			 October 10 1,380,493 
		
	
	
		
			  Phase 2 
			  Public sector and charity organisations 
			  2007  Number  Amount () 
			 April 20 439,016.45 
			 May 42 597,044.35 
			 June 29 646,441.46 
			 July 53 995,822.04 
			 August 32 194,588.13 
			 September 61 598,444.76 
			 October 67 901,166.61 
			 November 38 802,235.47 
			 December 36 581,897.13

Aerials: Planning Permission

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of current planning procedures in ensuring mobile telephone operators demonstrate that they have fully considered all options for a proposed new base station.

Iain Wright: I have been asked to reply.
	Planning Policy Guidance Note 8: Telecommunications makes clear that applicants for new masts should provide evidence that they have explored the possibility of erecting antennas on an existing building, mast or other structure and that such evidence should accompany any prior approval or planning application made to the local planning authority.
	The Code of Best Practice on Mobile Phone Network Development sets out the supplementary information that the operators provide to accompany applications for planning permission and prior approval under part 24 of schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended). The supplementary information that is routinely submitted with applications includes a list of the alternative sites considered during the site selection process and the reasons for not choosing them. Local planning authorities can assess the adequacy of this information when determining the relevant application.
	We are currently reviewing the planning procedures relating to applications for new base stations and are considering the effectiveness of the processes set out above as part of the review.

Biofuels

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the  (a) location and  (b) production volume is of each biodiesel (i) production and (ii) storage plant in England.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department does not hold precise information on the location and volume of biodiesel production and storage facilities in England. In 2006, it has been estimated there were around 1,400 facilities in operation in the UK, but most of these were relatively small in scale, producing less than 5,000 litres each per year.
	Further information on the UK road transport biofuels market was published in the BERR Energy Trends publication for December 2007 (see pages 45-48):
	www.berr.gov.uk/files/file43304.pdf

Biofuels

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimates his Department has made of  (a) actual and  (b) required UK capacity for the production of biodiesel in each of the next three years; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), due to be introduced in April 2008, will significantly increase demand for biofuels in the UK. A number of planned new biodiesel production facilities have been announced and, when on stream, will provide a significant increase in UK production capacity.
	The Department does not have precise information on actual and required capacity for the production of biodiesel in each of the next three years. UK biofuel producers will continue to compete with overseas producers to supply the UK market.

Biofuels

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the UK production capacity for biodiesel was in each of the last five years.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department does not hold precise information on biodiesel production capacity in the UK.
	A feature on the UK road transport biofuels market was published in the BERR Energy Trends publication for December 2007 (see pages 45-48):
	www.berr.gov.uk/files/file43304.pdf

Citizens Advice Bureaux

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many citizens advice bureaux have closed permanently in each of the last 10 years.

Gareth Thomas: This information is not available in the exact format requested. However, Citizens Advice have provided the following information.
	The total number of Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) in membership of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux across England and Wales has reduced from 699 in 1998 to 428 in 2008. However, in the vast majority of cases this is as a result of bureau mergers and not closures. Citizens Advicethe national charityworks in partnership with its members and funders to merge legal entities where there is a strong business case to do so. The number of outlets from which CAB advice is available continues to grow and currently stands at approximately 3,300. Permanent closure of Citizens Advice Bureaux is extremely rare and in the past decade the only areas where services have been terminated, either by the funder or by Citizens Advice, are : London borough of Ealing, London borough of Islington, Lytham St. Annes, Oadby and Wigston, and Old Swan.

Competition

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  what  (a) powers and  (b) discretion he has to disagree with the findings of the Competition Commission on (i) competition issues, (ii) the creation of merger situations, (iii) media plurality issues and (iv) public interest issues;
	(2)  what  (a) powers and  (b) discretion he has to decide on different actions from those proposed by the Competition Commission (i) generally and (ii) in respect of divestment of cross-media shareholdings.

Gareth Thomas: holding answer 22 January 2008
	In cases where the Secretary of State intervenes in a merger on public interest grounds under section 42 of the Enterprise Act 2002 (the Act) and subsequently makes a reference to the Competition Commission under section 45 of the Act on the grounds that the merger gives rise to both competition and public interest issues, the Competition Commission prepares a report in accordance with section 50 of the Act which is submitted to the Secretary of State. This report contains the Competition Commission's decisions on the questions set out in section 47 of the Act. These are:
	(a) whether a relevant merger situation has been created;
	(b) whether the creation of that situation has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market of the United Kingdom;
	(c) whether, taking account only of any substantial lessening of competition and any admissible public interest consideration, that situation operates, or may be expected to operate, against the public interest.
	On receipt of such a report, the Secretary of State must take the decisions provided for in sections 54 and 55 of the Act:
	(a) whether to make no finding at all in the case on the basis that the public interest consideration specified in the intervention notice is not relevant to a consideration of the merger situation concerned;
	(b) whether to make an adverse public interest finding (noting that Section 45(6) of the Act provides that any anti-competitive outcome shall be treated as being adverse to the public interest unless it is justified by one or more than one public interest consideration which is relevant); and
	(c) what action to take to remedy, mitigate or prevent any of the effects adverse to the public interest which may have resulted from the relevant merger situation.
	In reaching his decisions under section 54 of the Act, the Secretary of State is required, under section 54(7)(a) of the Act, to accept the decisions of the Competition Commission as to whether a relevant merger situation has been created and whether it results in an anti-competitive outcome. In reaching his decisions under section 55 of the Act on remedies, the Secretary of State is required, under section 55(3) of the Act, to have particular regard to the report of the Competition Commission.

Departmental Buildings

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many  (a) new build and  (b) refurbishment projects of a value of under 250,000 for which his Department was responsible took place in 2005-06; and how many of those projects were subject to the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method.

Gareth Thomas: My Department carried out five refurbishment projects up to a value of 250,000 during the 2005-06 financial year. No new builds were carried out and therefore these projects were not subject to the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method.

Departmental Buildings

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many  (a) new build and  (b) re-furbishment projects for which his Department was responsible took place in 2005-06 up to a budget of 5 million; and how many of those projects were subject to a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment.

Gareth Thomas: My Department carried out six refurbishment projects up to a value of 5 million during the 2005-06 financial year. No new builds were carried out and therefore these projects were not subject to the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method.

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps he has taken to reduce his Department's carbon dioxide emissions in 2008-09.

Gareth Thomas: Since 1999 my Department has made progress in energy efficiencies by reducing the size of the property estate space by 46 per cent. with a decrease of 11.2 per cent. in energy consumption.
	BERR will continue to make energy efficiencies and improvements during 2008-09.

Departmental Manpower

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many people aged  (a) 30 to 39,  (b) 40 to 49,  (c) 50 to 59 and  (d) 60 to 69 years have (i) applied for jobs, (ii) received interviews and (iii) gained (A) temporary and (B) permanent jobs in his Department in 2007.

Gareth Thomas: BERR was created in June 2007 following machinery of government changes. BERR complies with age legislation introduced on 1 October 2006 and does not ask people to disclose their age when they apply for a post. However, after selection every new starter completes a personal data form which includes an age field. This information is recorded in the BERR personnel management information system.
	The number of permanent staff joining BERR since its creation broken down into age groups is as follows:
	
		
			  Age  Permanent staff 
			 30 to 39 4 
			 40 to 49 6 
			 50 to 59 1 
			 60 to 69 0 
			 Total 11 
		
	
	Data on those appointed to temporary posts are not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Marketing

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what products featuring departmental or Government branding were procured by  (a) his Department and its predecessor and  (b) its agencies in each of the last five years.

Gareth Thomas: The information requested is not held centrally by the Department, UK Trade and Investment or Companies House and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The Insolvency Service have spent 14,489 in the last five years on a limited number of promotional products with Insolvency Services branding, including banner stands, pens, clocks, mugs and USB memory sticks.

Departmental Procurement

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether the standard terms and conditions of purchase used by his Department in procurement of goods and services from the private sector prohibit the assignment of debt.

Gareth Thomas: There is no express provision in the Department's standard terms and conditions of purchase prohibiting the assignment of debt. The Department's standard terms and conditions of purchase do however include a prohibition on the contractor giving, bargaining, selling, assigning, subcontracting or otherwise disposing of the contract or any part thereof without the previous agreement in writing of the Department. Accordingly a contractor may not assign its debts under the contract without such approval from the Department. This reflects the OGC recommended provision in this regard.

Departmental Visits Abroad

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much his Department and its predecessor spent on foreign travel for  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials in each of the last 10 years.

Gareth Thomas: The total amount spent on foreign travel by BERR and its predecessor, the DTI, in each of the last 10 years was:
	
		
			
			 1998-99 5,019,971 
			 1999-2000 5,291,063 
			 2000-01 5,470,024 
			 2001-02 4,912,785 
			 2002-03 5,583,825 
			 2003-04 4,260,257 
			 2004-05 5,483,903 
			 2005-06 5,601,629 
			 2006-07 6,295,501 
			 April 2007 to November 2007 1,752,867 
		
	
	The Department does not separately record the travel undertaken by Ministers from that of officialsto provide this information would entail disproportionate cost.
	These figures include travel, accommodation and incidental costs associated with travel.

Economic Agreements

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when he expects transitional agreements to be available to countries not ready to sign up for an economic partnership agreement by 1 January 2008.

Gareth Thomas: 35 countries from the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group signed up to an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) before the end of 2007. These countries now receive duty free quota free access for their products into the EU. Of the countries which did not agree an EPA, 32 are classified as Least Developed Countries (LDCs) which makes them eligible for the Everything But Arms scheme (EBA) which provides for duty free access into the EU on all products except for arms. 10 other countries can utilise the Generalised System of Preferences scheme (GSP) which is available to all developing countries and provides for a reduction in the standard rate of duty for products entering the EU. These schemes were already in existence and so these countries have been able to utilise them since the beginning of this year.
	The UK continues to work with the European Commission and ACP Governments to ensure that these agreements benefit regional integration and deliver for development.

Electricity Generation: Carbon Emissions

Stephen Byers: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many tonnes of carbon dioxide each electricity company has been granted a permit to emit in each year from 2008 to 2012.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 22 January 2008
	Emissions allowances are allocated on the basis of installations rather than companies. A list of the number of EU Emissions Trading Scheme allowances issued to each installation in the UK has been published on the DEFRA website at:
	http ://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/trading/eu/operators/phase-2.htm

Energy

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the cost was of the energy review process, excluding legal costs incurred during the judicial review.

Malcolm Wicks: The total cost of the Energy Review process was approximately 2 million (excluding legal costs incurred during the judicial review).

Energy

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much was spent on external consultancies in the preparation of  (a) energy review, Our Energy Challenge, The Energy Challenge and  (b) Meeting the Energy Challenge.

Malcolm Wicks: The total cost of external consultants involved in the Energy Review process was approximately 1.8 million.

Energy

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the costs were of printing Our Energy Challenge, The Energy Challenge; and how many copies were printed.

Malcolm Wicks: The total cost of producing the Energy Review consultation document Our Energy Challenge, and the Energy Review report The Energy Challenge was approximately 104,000. This figure covers charges for typesetting and printing both documents.
	2,600 copies of the Energy Review consultation document Our Energy Challenge were printed, and 2,800 copies of the Energy Review report The Energy Challenge.

Energy

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the costs were of printing Meeting the Energy Challenge; and how many copies were printed.

Malcolm Wicks: The total cost of producing the Energy White Paper Meeting the Energy Challenge was approximately 112,000. This figure covers charges for typesetting and printing.
	4,000 copies of the Energy White Paper were printed.

Energy

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which external consultants were used by his Department and its predecessor in the preparation of the energy review, Our Energy Challenge, The Energy Challenge and Meeting the Energy Challenge.

Malcolm Wicks: Consultants appointed as specialist advisers to the Energy Review were: academics from Imperial College London and Manchester University; AEA Technology Environment; Deloitte; E4Tech; Econnect; Ernst and Young; Global Insight; Poyry Energy (previously called Ilex); Jackson Consulting; Jade Energy Ltd., Morgan Stanley; Nera Economic Consulting, Oxera Consulting; Oxford Economic Forecasting, Redpoint Energy, Wade, Wood McKenzie.

Energy and Climate Security Panel

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many meetings of his Department's Energy and Climate Security Panel have been held since its inception; which expert seminars have been organised to date on the advice of the panel; and what the URL for the panel's website is.

Malcolm Wicks: The Energy and Climate Security Panel held its inaugural dinner in September 2007.
	We will be holding the first expert seminar on 'What are the key risks in the global gas and oil markets to 2030' in February 2008. A further expert seminar on 'Renewable Energy Strategy' is planned for late spring 2008.
	Background information on the Panel and its members can be found on our website at:
	http://www.berrr.gov.uk/energy/policy-strategy/advisory-panel/page41232.html
	Notes of panel and seminar meetings will also be posted on this website.

Energy: Fees and Charges

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps his Department is taking to reduce energy costs for vulnerable people in the community; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: Action to reduce energy costs cuts across several Departments. The Government have a package of measures in place to support vulnerable households to reduce energy costs. We have announced that spend on energy efficiency measures for those on low incomes for the period 2008 to 2011 will be in excess of 2.3 billion.
	In addition to this, my Department has promoted measures to reduce energy costs for those not connected to the mains gas network. In partnership with the regional development agencies in north-east England and Yorkshire and Humberside, we have set up two demonstration programmes to provide mains gas and renewable technologies to deprived communities outside the mains gas network. We have also worked with Ofgem to incentivise the large gas distribution networks to provide mains gas connections to deprived communities from April 2008.
	In the Energy White Paper we made it clear that we expected energy suppliers to have a proportionate programme of assistance in place for vulnerable customers. Energy companies have responded and have recently increased the level of support they provide to vulnerable customers from 40 million to 56 million this winter.

Energy: Fees and Charges

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what progress is being made on the Ofcom review into utility bill charges for people who do not pay by direct debit.

Malcolm Wicks: The matter raised is the responsibility of the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which is accountable to Parliament rather than Ministers. Accordingly, I have asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to reply directly to my hon. Friend. Copies of the Chief Executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Environmental Industries Sector Unit: Finance

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much was  (a) allocated to and  (b) spent by UK Trade and Investment's Environmental Industries Sector Unit in each year since 2005.

Gareth Thomas: The Environmental Industries Sector Unit (EISU) budgeted the following for each year since 2005 in support of the UK environment sector overseas:
	
		
			
			 2005-06 1,078,000 
			 2006-07 1,118,000 
			 2007-08 (1)882,000 
			 (1) Forecast outturn 
		
	
	However, actual spend on the sector in each year since 2005 were as follows:
	
		
			
			 2005-06 1,141,000 
			 2006-07 1,149,000 
			 2007-08 (1)882,000 
			 (1) Forecast outturn

Exports: Environment Protection

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which Government agencies have provided support for exports from UK-based environmental industries in each year since 2005; what the budget for this work was for each agency in each year; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) is the Government organisation that supports companies in the UK doing business internationally and overseas enterprises seeking to set up or expand in the UK. It brings together the work of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. The Environmental Industries Sector Unit (EISU) is a Government unit, operating within the Sector Group of UKTI, with responsibility for promoting the UK environmental industry overseas.
	EISU budget from 2005 for the environment sector were as follows:
	
		
			
			 2005-06 1,078,000 
			 2006-07 1,118,000 
			 2007-08 882,000

Fuel Poverty

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many households in settlements with a population of 10,000 or less in England were in fuel poverty in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The National Statistics Definition of rurality states that an area is defined as urban if it has a population greater than 10,000. Areas with a population of less than 10,000 are divided into Town and fringe and Village, hamlet or isolated dwelling. A breakdown of fuel poverty at this level is available in the Fuel Poverty 2005Detailed Tables (http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file42705.pdf). This shows that in 2005 there were approximately 288,000 fuel poor households in a Village, hamlet or isolated dwelling and 146,000 fuel poor households defined as being part of a Town and fringe. This totals to approximately 434,000 households in fuel poverty in settlements of less than 10,000.

Fuel Poverty: Gloucestershire

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what his most recent estimate is of the number of households in  (a) Cheltenham and  (b) each of the Gloucestershire constituencies which were in fuel poverty in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Malcolm Wicks: Over the last 10 years, sub-national estimates of fuel poverty are available only for 2003. The data for fuel poverty levels for 2003 come from the Fuel Poverty Indicator dataset (available online at http://www.fuelpovertyindicator.org.uk/). In 2003, there were around 2,800 households in Cheltenham living in fuel poverty. The following table shows estimated fuel poverty levels for each local authority in Gloucestershire in 2003;
	
		
			 Local authority name Estimate of number of fuel poor households (2003) 
			 Cheltenham 2,800 
			 Cotswold 2,100 
			 Forest of Dean 2,200 
			 Gloucester 2,900 
			 South Gloucestershire 5,700 
			 Stroud 2,700 
			 Tewkesbury 1,900 
			 Total 20,300

Imports: Biofuels

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what volume of biodiesel feedstocks  (a) was imported into the UK in each of the last five years and  (b) he estimates will be imported into the UK in each of the next five years.

Malcolm Wicks: Biodiesel is derived from vegetable or animal oils, which are also used for a variety of other purposes, and is also available for import as a blend with conventional diesel fuel. The Department does not hold information on the volume of biodiesel feedstocks imported into the UK in each of the last five years, nor does the Department have estimates of quantities likely to be imported in each of the next five years.
	When the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) comes into effect in April 2008, transport fuel suppliers will be required to report on a monthly basis the feedstock from which their biofuels were produced and its country of origin.

Members: Correspondence

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many letters his Department received from hon. Members and Peers in each session of Parliament since 1997.

Gareth Thomas: The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members/Peers correspondence. Information relating to 2007 will be published as soon as it has been collated. The report for 2006 was published on 28 March 2007,  Official Report, columns 101-04WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Libraries of the House.

News Corporation: ITV

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether  (a) he and  (b) members of his Department have been approached by representatives of (i) BSkyB, (i) News International and (iii) any other News Corporation controlled company about BSkyB's shareholding in ITV.

Stephen Timms: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Shipley (Philip Davies) on 21 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1631W.

Nuclear Power

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what definition his Department uses of remote in the context of paragraph 3.58 of the White Paper on Nuclear Power, Cm 7296.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government's policy on waste and decommissioning for new nuclear power stations is designed to ensure that operators make adequate arrangements to cover the full costs of decommissioning and their full share of waste management and disposal costs.
	In the past the Government have found themselves called upon to cover the costs of decommissioning and waste management and disposal where nuclear power station operators have been unable to do so. The mechanism set out by the Government in the Energy Bill aim to mitigate in so far as possible against this risk for any new power stations that are built.
	Paragraph 3.58 of the White Paper makes clear that the financing arrangements put in place by a nuclear operator must demonstrate that the risk of Government being called upon in this way is minimised. The operator must do this by ensuring that in addition to the accruing fund, additional financial safeguard mechanisms are in place to deal with a range of challenging scenarios. However, paragraph 3.58 recognises that in extreme circumstances the Government may be called upon to meet the costs of ensuring the protection of the public and the environment.
	Government intend to publish draft guidance for public consultation in February which will give further information on what would constitute acceptable proposals for securely meeting decommissioning and waste management and disposal costs.

Packaging

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to his answer of 12 November 2007,  Official Report, column 64W, on packaging, when he plans to publish his Department's decision on private prosecutions in relation to copycat packaging as part of his Department's implementation of the unfair commercial practices directive.

Gareth Thomas: I intend to publish Government's Response to the May 2007 consultation on draft Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations (CPRs) implementing the unfair commercial practices directive shortly. This will say that the Government do not propose to allow businesses to enforce the regulations, but this position will be kept under review and will be formally reviewed three years after the regulations come into force.
	The Office of Fair Trading and Trading Standards Services will have a duty to enforce the regulations. The Government believe that these enforcement arrangements suffice to adequately enforce the CPRs, including in relation to misleading copycat packaging design. OFT and trading standards services will have to act in a manner consistent with their duty to enforce the regulations. Indeed the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property notes that in this context the Local Authority Coordinators of Regulatory Services have said that once the UCPD is in place they will act on behalf of consumers by pursuing businesses who act improperly.

Public Telephones: Planning Permission

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many planning applications for new public telephone boxes were submitted to local authorities in the latest period for which figures are available, broken down by local authority; how many boxes were proposed in such applications; how many applications were successful; and how many boxes were proposed in such successful applications.

Iain Wright: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested is not held centrally. Communities and Local Government collects quarterly aggregate statistics on development control from all local planning authorities in England. However, we do not collect information on individual planning application topics.

Renewable Energy

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what alternative provision will be made for the supply of energy needed to meet targets likely to be required under the EU 20 per cent. renewables target for total primary energy in circumstances where a shortfall may be caused by insufficient wind speed to supply usable power by means of wind generation.

Malcolm Wicks: In the summer, the Government will launch a full consultation on what more we should do to increase renewable energy use to meet our share of the EU 2020 renewables target. This will consider a range of issues including the role of wind power and other technologies.

Renewable Energy

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what consultations his Department has undertaken on the operation of the renewables obligation.

Malcolm Wicks: There have been nine consultations undertaken on the operation of the renewable obligation in England and Wales since its introduction:
	New and Renewable Energy: Prospects for the 21st Century: The Renewables Obligation Preliminary ConsultationOctober 2000;
	New and Renewable Energy: Prospects for the 21st Century: The Renewables Obligation Statutory ConsultationAugust 2001;
	New and Renewable Energy: Prospects for the 21st Century: The Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order 2003 Statutory ConsultationAugust 2003;
	New and Renewable Energy: Prospects for the 21st Century: The Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order 2003 Statutory Consultation on Late PaymentsAugust 2003;
	The Renewables Obligation Order 2005 Statutory ConsultationSeptember 2004;
	2005-06 Review of the Renewables Obligation Preliminary ConsultationMarch 2005;
	2005-06 Review of the Renewables Obligation Statutory ConsultationOctober 2005;
	Reform of the Renewables Obligation and Statutory Consultation on the Renewables Obligation Order 2007October 2006;
	Renewable Energy: Reform of the Renewables ObligationMay 2007.
	They can be found on the BERR websitealong with their supporting documentsat:
	http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/policy/renewables-obligation/key-stages/page18361 .html

Royal Mail: Telephone Services

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what his most recent estimate is of the revenue received from customers telephoning on telephone numbers beginning 08 by  (a) Royal Mail and  (b) Consumer Direct in the last five financial years.

Patrick McFadden: This is an operational matter for Royal Mail and the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) respectively. I have therefore asked Adam Crozier, Chief Executive of Royal Mail and John Fingleton, Chief Executive of the OFT to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Tidal Power

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what tidal power schemes are under consideration in Government.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 24 January 2008
	The Government have in place a number of initiatives that encourage the development of tidal power.
	The Government's main mechanism for supporting renewable energy is the Renewables Obligation (RO). We recently announced our final plans to reform the RO so that it maximises contributions from both established and emerging technologies. These include providing greater support to tidal barrages and lagoons up to 1 Giga Watt and to tidal-stream technologies. Further details can be found at
	www3.dti.gov.uk/energy/whitepaper/consultations/renewables-obligation/page39555.html
	Support for the research and development of tidal power technology development is given by the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) which is a joint Government and industry initiative. Details on the ETI's first call for projects, launched on 17 December 2007, include tidal power and can be seen at:
	www.energytechnologies.co.uk/technology-programmes/current-programmes/marine-wave-and-tidal/
	In addition, the 50 million 'Marine Renewables Deployment Fund' provides a package of measures to support the first grid connected multi-device tidal-stream pre-commercial demonstrations. Further details can be found at:
	www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/funding/marine/page19419.html
	On 22 January we announced the detailed terms of reference for a new feasibility study that will look into the potential for tidal power in the Severn Estuary. Further details of the study can be found at:
	www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/explained/wave-tidal/tidal/severntidalpower/page41473.html
	My Department is currently considering an application for consent for a tidal energy device in the Humber Estuary.

UK Trade and Investment: Closures

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which UK Trade and Investment offices outside the EU will see  (a) a reduction in staff levels and  (b) closure in the next 12 months.

Gareth Thomas: UKTI is working to deliver efficiency savings in its overseas network to meet the requirements of its comprehensive spending review 2007 settlement. This work is ongoing, as part of the business planning process, and the reduction in staff levels in connection with the CSR 07 efficiency savings remains to be determined.

Waste Heat Recovery

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what plans his Department has to publish a waste heat strategy.

Malcolm Wicks: On 31 January 2008, BERR along with DEFRA and CLG published the Heat Call for Evidence. This Call for Evidence is an important next step in developing the Heat Strategy. The document sets out our understanding of the opportunities and prospects for de-carbonising heat use including heat from waste and some of the barriers that prevent the greater use of renewable heat.
	The Call for Evidence will help inform what next steps may be needed and further improve understanding of the costs and barriers to taking action. Once the replies are logged, we will consult over the summer on policies to increase the use of renewable energy in the UK, including heat. The UK Renewable Energy Strategy will be published in spring 2009.

Wind Power: Defence

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps are being taken in the  (a) short and  (b) medium term to solve the difficulties related to wind turbines and air defence radar.

Malcolm Wicks: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister stated on 19 November 2007 that in order to remove the barriers to the deployment of onshore and offshore wind farms, he has asked my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Defence and the Secretary of State for Transport and myself to step up efforts in cooperation with industry and the regulators to identify and test technical solutions to the potential difficulties that wind farms pose to air traffic and defence radar. The Department is facilitating the resolution of these concerns. We have established groups to improve the understanding of the issues and to initiate programmes of work to identify, develop and implement mitigation solutions to reduce the impacts of wind turbines on radar. It is our aim to establish a range of mitigation solutions that can be considered and, where appropriate, utilised to allow the removal of objections to wind applications in respect to their potential impacts on radar. We are working closely with the various aviation stakeholders and the wind sector to drive these initiatives forward.

Wind Power: Planning Permission

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what meetings the Department has had with wind farm  (a) companies,  (b) organisations and  (c) associations to discuss objections to wind farm applications by the Ministry of Defence; and what the outcome has been.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department deals with the deployment of wind farms at both a strategic and project-specific level as part of renewables policy and the consenting regime under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. In this context, the Department has regular meetings with companies, organisations and associations, formally and informally, to discuss issues relevant to Ministry of Defence radar concerns.
	At a strategic level my Department works to facilitate the resolution of concerns raised by the aviation bodies in respect to the deployment of wind turbines. We have established groups that are attended by organisations such as developers, CAA, NATS, airport operators and the MOD. The outcome has been an improvement in the understanding of the issues and the establishment of a programme of work to identify and develop mitigation solutions to reduce the impacts of wind turbines on radar.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Apprenticeships

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what plans he has to increase the number of apprenticeships for 16 and 17 year olds.

Edward Balls: We have published the report Apprenticeships: Unlocking Talent, Building Skills for All, setting out plans to expand the number and range of Apprenticeships so that, from 2013, any suitably-qualified 16 to 18-year-old who wants an Apprenticeship can have one.
	The expansion of Apprenticeships will support our plan to raise the participation age in learning.
	Over the past decade, we have more than doubled the number of young people and adults starting Apprenticeships.

Parental Choice

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether it is his Department's policy to maximise parental choice in relation to educational provision; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: My Department is, indeed, committed to increasing parental choice in education provision. Our aim is to ensure that there are more places in good schools and in the right places for parents to choose from. Choice cannot be unfettered, however; it needs to be managed and that is why we have introduced a rigorous admissions code that will be properly enforced.

School Standards: Secondary Level

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent steps his Department has taken to raise standards in secondary schools.

Jim Knight: Since 1997, we have doubled funding per pupil in real terms. We have put over 200,000 more adults in classrooms. We hit the 60 per cent. of pupils achieving good GCSEs target a year early. Gaps are narrowing. Low-performance at school and local authority level is diminishing. Our Children's Plan sets out how we will deliver a world-class education system. The Every Child Matters agenda, personalised learning, progression, curriculum changes, academies, new 14 to 19 diplomas, raising the participation age, work force reforms and continued investment are all taking this forward.

School Standards: Secondary Level

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps his Department is taking to raise the educational standards in secondary schools.

Jim Knight: Since 1997, we have doubled funding per pupil in real terms. We have put over 200,000 more adults in classrooms. We hit the 60 per cent. of pupils achieving good GCSEs target a year early. Gaps are narrowing. Low-performance at school and local authority level is diminishing. Our Children's Plan sets out how we will deliver a world-class education system. The Every Child Matters agenda, personalised learning, progression, curriculum changes, academies, new 14-19 diplomas, raising the participation age, workforce reforms and continued investment are all taking this forward.

Examination Results

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of recent trends in school examination results; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Since 1997 there has been an unparalleled rise in primary and secondary school standards. For example, in 2007 60.8 per cent. of pupils gained five good GCSEs compared to 45.7 per cent. in 1997. There has also been a significant increase when English and mathematics are included.
	The Children's Plan outlines ambitious goals for the next 10 years to build upon the considerable improvements in examination results already made.

Holocaust Education

Lynda Waltho: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the contribution of the Holocaust Educational Trust's nationwide Lessons from Auschwitz project to teaching of the Holocaust in the national curriculum.

Edward Balls: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given earlier to today to my hon. Friend the Member for Ochil and South Perthshire.

Youth Services: Expenditure

Anne Moffat: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what plans he has for expenditure on youth services in the next three years.

Beverley Hughes: In addition to that funding which local authorities allocate to their youth services, over the next three years young people in England will benefit from direct DCSF investment of 1.4 billion in the Connexions Service, 222 million for the targeted Positive Activities for Young People programme and 198 million for the Youth Opportunity and Youth Capital Funds.

Illiteracy

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children reached 16 years of age unable to read and write in the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Let us first be clear that being awarded below a grade G in GCSE English under no circumstances means that a pupil is unable to read or write. In 2007, 9,000 pupils did not achieve this standard. This covers 6 per cent. of the key stage 4 cohort; many of whom are likely to have special educational needs. Many of these pupils demonstrate their abilities in other qualifications, such as entry level qualifications.

Building Schools for the Future

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will make a statement on the progress of the Building Schools for the Future programme.

Jim Knight: The Building Schools for the Future programme is progressing well. The first BSF school (Bristol Brunel Academy) was opened by the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State in September 2007. Local authorities plans show that we expect 12 new schools to be open by December 2008, 35 more in 2008-09, 115 more in 2009-10, 165 more in 2010-11, and then around 200 a year and rising thereafter.

Special Educational Needs

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what initial assessment he has made of the impact of the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Code of Practice (Providers of Post 16 Education) on young people with special educational needs.

Kevin Brennan: Our initial assessment of the impact of these provisions is that they have greatly influenced the quality of provision. The code of practice raised the level of awareness of what was required and led to improving the way the sector provides for young people with special educational needs and how the sector discharges its duties and responsibilities.

Special Educational Needs

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what mandatory training is required for  (a) early identification of special educational needs and  (b) teaching children with special educational needs in a mainstream setting from students enrolled on the (i) Initial Teacher Training scheme and (ii) Post Graduate Certificate in Education students;
	(2)  what work has been undertaken by the Training and Development Agency for Schools with regard to the special educational needs (SEN) skills required of  (a) trainee,  (b) nearly qualified and  (c) established teachers as part of the Removing Barriers to Achievement programme; and what assessment has been made of (i) the pilot schemes for specialist modules for SEN implemented as part of the programme and (ii) the SEN training delivered to Post Graduate Certificate in Education students.

Kevin Brennan: An understanding of special educational needs is an integral part of all initial teacher training. In order to be awarded qualified teacher status, trainees must demonstrate that they:
	know how to make effective personalised provision for pupils they teach, including those with SEN, and know how to differentiate their teaching accordingly;
	have knowledge of current legislation and guidance on the safeguarding and promotion of the well-being of children and young people, including SEN and disability legislation and the SEN code of practice;
	understand the roles of colleagues with specific responsibility for groups of learners with SEN and other needs; and
	have the ability to communicate effectively with children, young people, colleagues, parents and carers.
	As part of a wider programme to strengthen understanding of SEN and disability issues within initial teaching training, we have worked closely with the Training and Development Agency for Schools, to develop and pilot a series of specialist SEN and disability units for primary undergraduate courses, and for newly qualified teachers during their induction. These units have been well received by both staff and students and it is planned to organise a national roll-out to all training providers this year. Work is also under way to develop similar materials for secondary undergraduate courses and the postgraduate certificate of education (PGCE).
	Ofsted are also undertaking a thematic review of the journey taken by trainee teachers, in terms of acquiring SEN and disability knowledge and skills during their initial training and induction. The results of this review are expected to be published in the summer.
	Once qualified, all teachers are expected to discuss their own development needs in performance management reviews, and to address development priorities. This could include strengthening knowledge and understanding of SEN. Where schools have identified a need to strengthen knowledge and understanding of SEN, as a school improvement priority, this should be addressed through their school improvement and development plans.
	All schools receive a school development grant which they are able to use to support improvements in any aspect of teaching and learning. A wide variety of courses are available covering SEN, ranging from awareness-raising through to in-depth studies leading to specific qualifications. It is, however, a matter for individual teachers and their schools to determine their own particular training and development needs. Local authorities may retain a proportion of this grant, under certain conditions, to provide specific training and development of SEN.
	In October 2007, we launched our Inclusion Development Programme (IDP), which is designed to provide a programme of confidence-raising professional development for serving teachers and other staff. The opening round of the IDP has focused on training and resources in relation to children's speech, language and communication difficulties, including dyslexia. In later rounds, the IDP will focus on autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD) and moderate learning difficulties (MLD).

School Safety

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government has taken to make schools safer for children since 1997.

Kevin Brennan: The protection of children is our unequivocal first priority.
	Through the Education Act 2002 we legislated to put a duty on schools to safeguard and promote the welfare of their pupils. And we have introduced important safeguards to prevent unsuitable people working with children in schools. We are introducing changes to ensure we have the toughest ever vetting and barring system. The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 will deliver the first centralised vetting and barring system for all those working with children and vulnerable adults.
	Ahead of this legislation being implemented, we have tightened up the current system, so that anyone cautioned or convicted for sexual offences against children after 28 February 2007 is automatically entered on List 99 and barred from working in schools and other education settings. This applies to anyone aged 18 or over who is convicted of, or cautioned for, a relevant offence regardless of whether there is evidence that they have been in previous employment in the education and children's work force.

Alcohol: Education

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps he is taking to ensure that young people receive appropriate education about alcohol abuse.

Kevin Brennan: I know this is an important issue for my hon. Friend, particularly given the circumstances surrounding the murder of her constituent Mr. Garry Newlove. I think we all share in the sadness that has resulted from this horrendous crime. I was pleased to hear that the three perpetrators have now been convicted of Mr. Newlove's murder.
	We are committed to reducing substance misuse among young people particularly that associated with alcohol misuse. My hon. Friend will know from a previous written reply that alcohol education is delivered alongside that on drugs and volatile substances and is a vital element of our approach. DCSF guidance is clear that pupils' education about alcohol and its effects should start in primary school, before drinking patterns become established and should be revisited as pupils' understanding and experience increases.
	We are clear of the need to be sure that alcohol education in schools is robust, accurate and effective. As part of the Children's Plan we have given a commitment to examine the effectiveness of current delivery arrangements for all drugs educationincluding alcoholand act to strengthen them if necessary.

Academies

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what research his Department has  (a) completed and  (b) commissioned on the effects of academies on neighbouring schools; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) commissioned a five-year independent evaluation of the academies programme by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in 2003. The aim of the evaluation is to assess the overall effectiveness of the programme in terms of its contribution to educational standards, including the impact of academies on neighbouring schools. The first four reports have already been published and the fifth and final report will be published in summer 2008.
	In its report on the academies programme published in February 2007, the National Audit Office found that academies do not appear to impact unfairly on the performance of neighbouring schools.

Academies: Bexley

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of children attending Bexley Business Academy are resident in the  (a) London borough of Bexley and  (b) London borough of Greenwich.

Jim Knight: 60.7 per cent. of pupils on roll at the Business Academy at Bexley live in the London borough of Bexley and 37.5 per cent. live in the London borough of Greenwich.

Academies: Environment Protection

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many academies have  (a) sought and  (b) been awarded eco-schools status.

Jim Knight: The Department does not hold this information.

Academies: Sponsorship

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what guidance exists to determine the suitability of entities which sponsor academy schools; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Department carries out rigorous checks to establish the suitability of individuals and organisations to become sponsors of academies. These include checking their financial viability to supply any funds pledged as well as their general suitability.
	Ministers will make the final decision on whether to accept or reject sponsorship.

Building Schools for the Future Programme: Enfield

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schools in Enfield North have been rebuilt or improved under the Building Schools for the Future initiative over the last 10 years.

Jim Knight: Enfield has not yet entered the Building Schools for the Future programme, which aims to renew all secondary schools in England where there is need, in 15 waves of investment which started in 2005-06. We have now announced the first six waves, which are prioritised on educational and social need. Enfield is prioritised in waves seven to nine of the programme which can access funding from 2011-12. We aim shortly to consult on the management of waves seven to 15.
	In 2007, we gathered information from all authorities on the improvements to their school buildings over the previous 10 years. This School Building Investment Data is available in the parliamentary Libraries. The information supplied by Enfield included that it had built six new schools, four of which were additional schools, and had rebuilt over 50 per cent. of the floor area of a further three schools.

Buildings Schools for the Future Programme: Kent

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much money will be made available to Kent county council through the Building Schools for the Future programme; over what period is it to be spent; and what criteria have been set for the way it is to be used.

Jim Knight: Building Schools for the Future aims to renew all secondary schools in England where there is need, in 15 waves of investment which started in 2005-06, including those in Kent. The first Kent project has been prioritised in wave three, and approximately 240 million has already been allocated to it. This funding will be used to transform 10 schools, improving the learning environments for thousands of young people. Kent is also prioritised in wave four, but the project is not yet sufficiently progressed for funding to be allocated. It will have further projects in later waves, prioritised on social and educational need.
	For these waves and for subsequent ones, Kent will need to demonstrate how the investment will be deployed to meet its education vision and its strategy for the estate. The Strategy for Change process ensures that all local authorities can deliver transformational projects which create 21st century learning environments, with integrated ICT solutions and deliver a strategic approach to pupil place planning across the whole estate. The full BSF Strategy for Change guidance can be found at:
	www.bsf.gov.uk/documents

Food: General Certificate of Secondary Education

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children studied GCSE Food Technology in each year since 1997.

Jim Knight: The information is given as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2006/07 78,911 
			 2005/06 84,783 
			 2004/05 93,325 
			 2003/04 103,005 
			 2002/03 103,817 
			 2001/02 102,457 
			 2000/01 106,545 
			 1999/2000 107,016 
			 1998/99 101,112 
			 1997/98 94,005 
		
	
	The figures relate to 15-year-old pupils (age at the start of the academic year, i.e. 31 August) in all schools.
	Comparative figures for 1996/97 are not available.

GCE A-Level

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of secondary schools with sixth forms submitted one or more pupils for A-levels in  (a) 1997-98,  (b) 2000-01,  (c) 2005-06 and  (d) 2006-07 in (i) mathematics, (ii) physics, (iii) chemistry, (iv) French and (v) a modern language.

Jim Knight: The information to answer part  (d) is as follows:
	
		
			   Schools entering one or more pupils 
			   Number  Percentage 
			 Mathematics 1,649 41.3 
			 Physics 1,494 37.4 
			 Biology 1,601 40.1 
			 Chemistry 1,558 39.0 
			 English 502 12.6 
			 French 1,207 30.2 
			 German 852 21.3 
			 Italian 102 2.6 
			 Spanish 558 14.0 
			 Any Modern Language 1,721 43.1 
		
	
	These figures relate to 16 to 18-year-olds (age at the start of the academic year, i.e. 31 August 2006) in all maintained schools.
	'Any Modern Language' includes Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Gujarati, Italian, Japanese, Modern Greek, Modern Hebrew, Panjabi, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Urdu.
	To answer parts  (a),  (b), and  (c) would go over the disproportionate cost threshold.

General Certificate of Secondary Education

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what proportion of entrants for GCSE  (a) mathematics,  (b) modern languages,  (c) science (dual award),  (d) physics,  (e) chemistry and  (f) biology examinations in 2007 attended (i) academies, (ii) maintained comprehensive schools, (iii) faith schools, (iv) grammar schools and (v) private schools;
	(2)  what proportion of entrants for GCSE  (a) media studies,  (b) dance,  (c) business studies,  (d) film studies and  (e) communication studies examinations in 2007 attended (i) academies, (ii) maintained comprehensive schools, (iii) faith schools, (iv) grammar schools and (v) private schools.

Jim Knight: The information to answer parts (ii), (iv) and (v) is shown in the following table. To answer (ii) and (iii) would go over the disproportionate cost threshold.
	
		
			  Entries into GCSE examinations by school type for 2006/07 
			   Comprehensive schools  Selective schools  Independent schools  
			   Number of entries  Percentage of total entries  Number of entries  Percentage of total entries  Number of entries  Percentage of total entries  Total entries 
			 Any Subject 534,114 83.9 60,921 9.6 46,883 7.4 636,981 
			 English and Mathematics 519,928 85.9 48,349 8.0 33,029 5.5 605,058 
			 Mathematics and Science 501,198 85.7 48,517 8.3 33,298 5.7 584,917 
			 English, Mathematics and Science 496,112 85.8 48,038 8.3 32,414 5.6 578,087 
			 English, Mathematics, Science and a Modern Language 225,658 80.0 43,906 15.6 27,548 9.8 282,036 
			 English 522,799 84.4 58,939 9.5 44,047 7.1 619,481 
			 Mathematics 528,518 85.7 48,922 7.9 34,163 5.5 616,890 
			 Any Science 503,904 84.0 59,441 9.9 44,707 7.5 599,695 
			 Single Award Science 59,113 87.2 1,143 1.7 2,060 3.0 67,787 
			 Double Award Science 375,440 86.4 35,354 8.1 25,792 5.9 434,779 
			 Physics 28,375 55.9 20,697 40.8 14,158 27.9 50,744 
			 Chemistry 28,503 55.8 20,806 40.8 14,338 28.1 51,056 
			 Biological Sciences 30,356 56.0 21,615 39.9 15,449 28.5 54,170 
			 Other Sciences 13,579 89.0 803 5.3 541 3.5 15,265 
			 Any Design and Technology 283,416 88.5 20,385 6.4 10,666 3.3 320,225 
			 D  T: Electronic Products 13,023 90.1 841 5.8 186 1.3 14,448 
			 D  T: Food Technology 73,478 91.7 2,769 3.5 849 1.1 80,101 
			 D  T: Graphic Products 64,043 90.7 3,295 4.7 1,068 1.5 70,642 
			 D  T: Resistant Materials 74,040 84.7 8,003 9.2 6,056 6.9 87,431 
			 D  T: Systems and Control 7,681 82.7 1,275 13.7 572 6.2 9,292 
			 D  T: Textiles Technology 40,444 90.9 2,207 5.0 1,021 2.3 44,474 
			 Other Design and Technology 23,328 85.4 2,204 8.1 1,021 3.7 27,332 
			 Information Technology 64,429 79.5 10,036 12.4 6,267 7.7 81,081 
			 Business Studies 67,011 85.6 7,808 10.0 4,414 5.6 78,320 
			 Home Economics 32,243 88.1 1,400 3.8 1,873 5.1 36,612 
			 Geography 145,346 78.6 29,867 16.1 21,971 11.9 184,978 
			 History 161,465 79.1 32,983 16.1 23,977 11.7 204,251 
			 Humanities 12,254 89.2 22 0.2 153 1.1 13,730 
			 Social Studies 20,788 95.6 255 1.2 253 1.2 21,752 
			 Music 44,436 80.8 7,825 14.2 5,521 10.0 54,992 
			 Any Modern Language 232,025 76.9 55,904 18.5 40,261 13.4 301,575 
			 French 141,743 74.7 38,889 20.5 28,837 15.2 189,740 
			 German 60,161 79.4 13,989 18.5 7,546 10.0 75,793 
			 Spanish 36,861 68.6 14,572 27.1 10,820 20.1 53,752 
			 Italian 2,264 70.0 872 26.9 674 20.8 3,236 
			 Other Modern Languages 13,847 74.8 2,970 16.0 3,664 19.8 18,524 
			 Art and Design 153,941 82.5 19,150 10.3 15,409 8.3 186,483 
			 English Literature 439,299 84.1 56,429 10.8 40,199 7.7 522,446 
			 Drama 86,772 84.0 10,450 10.1 8,419 8.2 103,245 
			 Media/Film/TV 55,060 93.2 717 1.2 479 0.8 59,071 
			 Classical Studies 3,164 22.6 10,367 74.2 8,987 64.3 13,975 
			 Physical Education 137,113 88.2 9,696 6.2 6,931 4.5 155,510 
			 Religious Studies 130,947 84.3 17,987 11.6 12,926 8.3 155,249 
			 Any other subjects 44,894 89.0 2,062 4.1 1,784 3.5 50,464 
			  Note: Dance is included in 'Physical Education'.

General Certificate of Secondary Education: Standards

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many pupils gained a single F grade at GCSE in 2007;
	(2)  how many pupils gained a single G grade at GCSE in 2007.

Jim Knight: The information is given as follows:
	
		
			   Number of pupils achieving a single grade in 2006/07 
			 A* 494 
			 A 264 
			 B 317 
			 C 593 
			 D 1,014 
			 E 1,930 
			 F 2,944 
			 G 3,993 
		
	
	The figures relate to pupils at the end of Key Stage 4.

Geography: GCE A-Level

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's recommendation that A-level geography coursework be abolished; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: It is the responsibility of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) to set criteria for A levels, including whether specifications may or may not include coursework. Coursework is only allowed under subject criteria where it is the most valid way of assessing subject specific skills, and where it can be robustly assessed.
	The decision to remove coursework from A level geography was made following extensive consultation by QCA. The subject criteria continue to strongly recommend that fieldwork is included at AS level, and to require it at A2 level. However, this fieldwork must be externally assessed rather than assessed through coursework.

Higher Education

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the proportion of people from the poorest backgrounds who obtained degree level qualifications in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the proportion of people from the richest backgrounds who obtained degree level qualifications in each of the last 10 years.

Bill Rammell: I have been asked to reply.
	This information is not held centrally.
	Information is available on full-time young (aged 18-20) participation in higher education by socio-economic class. The table shows the following:
	1. The proportion of 18-20 year olds from the top three socio-economic classes who participate for the first time in full-time higher education;
	2. The proportion of 18-20 year olds from the bottom four socio-economic classes who participate for the first time in full-time higher education;
	3. The difference, or gap between these two rates.
	
		
			  Full-time young participation by socio-economic class (FYPSEC) 
			  Academic year  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 % from NS-SECs 1, 2 and 3 44.6 41.5 41.5 43.3 
			 % from NS-SECs 4, 5, 6 and 7 17.6 17.9 17.7 19.9 
			 Difference 27.0 23.6 23.8 23.4 
		
	
	The figures cover English-domiciled 18-20 year olds who are studying for the first time at higher education level at UK higher education institutions or English further education colleges, who remain on their courses for at least six months.
	Due to a change from social class to socio-economic class in 2001, earlier comparable figures are not available. The 2006/07 figures will become available later this year.
	The Government remain committed to widening participation in higher education it is an economic as; well as a social imperative that everyone who can benefit from higher education has the opportunity to do so. Widening participation is about spotting and nurturing talent, with schools, colleges and universities working together to ensure that all those with the potential and merit to benefit from higher education are able to do so.

Higher Education: Academies

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  which universities have agreed to sponsor academy schools; and which representatives from those universities Ministers in his Department have met in the past 12 months;
	(2)  in what ways his Department liaises with the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills on the sponsorship of academy schools by universities.

Jim Knight: There are currently 16 universities which have agreed to sponsor an Academy or at various stages of developing formal Academy proposals. These are listed as follows.
	 Universities developing formal proposals
	Brunel University
	Birmingham City University (formerly University of Central England UCE)
	Coventry University
	Liverpool Hope University
	London City University
	Oxford Brookes University
	Queen Mary College
	Sheffield Hallam University
	University of Bristol
	University of Chester
	University College London
	University of Lincoln
	University of Liverpool
	University of Manchester
	University of Nottingham
	University of West of England
	Ministers from the Department for Children, Schools and Families have met or spoken with the Vice-Chancellors of the following Universities in the past 12 months about their involvement in the Academies programme:
	Oxford Brookes University
	University College London
	University of Nottingham
	University of the West of England
	Officials from the Department are in regular contact with DIUS on a range of matters, including university sponsorship of academies.

Higher Education: Admissions

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which universities require a GCSE at grade C or above in a modern language as part of their general entry requirements.

Bill Rammell: I have been asked to reply.
	That information is not collected centrally by the Department. As independent bodies, higher education institutions are free to set their own entry requirements for individual courses. However, a large number of institutions are now providing entry profiles for their courses, to enable potential applicants to clarify the entry criteria for any courses that they may be interested in. It is important that HE institutions publicise the availability of entry profiles and that careers advisers take them into account when advising young people on their options choices at age 13-14.

Literacy: Essex

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children in  (a) Colchester constituency and  (b) Essex county council area of school leaving age were functionally illiterate in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Knight: The Department does not currently report figures for functional literacy at age 16. We are piloting functional English qualifications at entry level, level 1 and level 2 to be available from 2010 which will provide young people and adults with the essential knowledge, skills and understanding that will enable them to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life and at work. The Government's current Public Service Agreement target is for 60 per cent. of 16-year-olds to achieve five good GCSE grades (A*- C) or equivalent by 2008. Figures for 2007 published on 9 January show that this target has been met. But we are raising the bar and in future the target for the end of Key Stage 4 will be measured against the proportion of pupils achieving five grades A*-C or equivalent, including GCSE English and mathematics. The 2007 figure for England achieving this standard was 46.7 per cent. compared with 37.0 per cent. in 1998.
	The following table shows the proportion of pupils in Colchester constituency and Essex achieving five or more GCSE grades A*-C or equivalent, including English and Mathematics for each year since 1998:
	
		
			  Percentage 
			   Colchester  Essex 
			 1998 49.3 38.2 
			 1999 45.3 39.5 
			 2000 46.0 40.6 
			 2001 49.2 41.3 
			 2002 47.5 42.5 
			 2003 47.4 41.6 
			 2004 46.4 42.2 
			 2005 45.5 42.9 
			 2006 48.4 45.0 
			 2007 49.5 46.9 
		
	
	In 2007 60.0 per cent. of pupils in England achieved at least Grade C in GCSE English compared with 53.2 per cent. in 1998. We do not publish disaggregated figures for GCSE subjects at local authority level.

Literacy: Staffordshire

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many 16-year-olds in  (a) Tamworth constituency and  (b) Staffordshire county council area were functionally illiterate in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Knight: The Department does not currently report figures for functional literacy at age 16. We are piloting functional English qualifications at entry level, level 1 and level 2 to be available from 2010 which will provide young people and adults with the essential knowledge, skills and understanding that will enable them to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life and at work. The Government's current public service agreement target is for 60 per cent. of 16-year-olds to achieve 5 good GCSE grades (A*- C) or equivalent by 2008. Figures for 2007 published on 9 January show that this target has been met. But we are raising the bar and in future the target for the end of Key Stage 4 will be measured against the proportion of pupils achieving 5 grades A*-C or equivalent, including GCSE English and mathematics. The 2007 figure for England achieving this standard was 46.7 per cent. compared with 37.0 per cent. in 1998.
	The table shows the proportion of pupils in Tamworth constituency and Staffordshire achieving 5 or more GCSE grades A*-C or equivalent, including English and mathematics for each year since 1998:
	
		
			   Tamworth  Staffordshire 
			 1998 26.0 34.3 
			 1999 25.7 37.8 
			 2000 30.2 38.1 
			 2001 28.9 38.3 
			 2002 28.0 40.2 
			 2003 26.5 39.5 
			 2004 30.7 38.8 
			 2005 35.0 42.2 
			 2006 32.6 42.7 
			 2007 34.8 45.5 
		
	
	In 2007 60.0 per cent. of pupils in England achieved at least Grade C in GCSE English compared with 53.2 per cent. in 1998. We do not publish disaggregated figures for GCSE subjects at local authority level.

Pre-School Education: Teachers

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 12 November 2007, on Pre-School Education: Teachers, what results emerged from the modelling undertaken by his Department to determine the demand for teachers, including those with experience and knowledge of the early years, in the period 2008 to 2011.

Jim Knight: holding answer 29 January 2008
	Our Teacher Supply Model takes account of a range of factors that determine how many teacher training places we need to set for future years. One of the most important is the number of pupils needing to be taught and our projections of these use data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This shows an increase in births and a need for more teachers beyond 2009/10, so we have increased the targets given to the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) for teacher training places in the infant/primary phase. We will be revalidating these assumptions in 2009, based on the latest ONS data available, and will make any adjustments necessary. Another modelling exercise to forecast demand from 2011/12 to 2013/14 will begin in 2010.
	The TDA has already allocated 1,760 places to training providers offering courses to those wishing to teach foundation stage and key stage 1 in each of the three years; an increase from 1,610 in 2007/08. It will allocate more places later to provide for the growth in 2009/10 and 2010/11 when there is better indication of regional and key stage demand.

Pupils : Personal Records

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families with reference to the answer of 26 July 2007,  Official Report, column 1397W, on pupils: personal records, what research is available on the family circumstances of a sample of pupils; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Information on the family circumstances of pupils has been gathered on a number of occasions when it has been directly relevant to the wider aims of a research study. There is no direct and simple way of establishing which research studies have gathered information on family circumstances and it would involve a disproportionate effort to do so, but as examples of the sort of information gathered, the London Challenge Parents questionnaire asked a sample of parents of 9 to 16-year-olds in London schools about home ownership, income, employment and number of people in the family, and the Youth Cohort study has regularly asked a national sample of 16 to 21-year-olds about their health, whether they looked after any other family members and whether they had any housing or family problems. The published reports of these and other individual studies are available through the Department's Research and Statistics Gateway on its website.

Runaway Children

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what steps his Office has taken to provide  (a) a network of refuge provision and  (b) reintegration support for runaways under the age of 16 years since 2001; in how many local areas there is a named person to co-ordinate services for runaways; what progress has been made in reducing local variations in the provision of such services; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what percentage of young runaways were interviewed to identify and tackle their reasons for running away in 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: I agree that it is vital to ensure the safety and well-being of those children and young people who run away from home or care, and to tackle the underlying causes that lead to running away.
	A report from the social exclusion unit (SEU) in 2002 identified the problems for young runaways and set out how the Government should respond, highlighting the importance of early intervention and prevention, and of integrating children's services. These issues were addressed in the Every Child Matters Green Paper and the subsequent Change for Children programme. Last year, we commissioned the Children's Society to assess how far these changes had in fact improved services for young runaways, and to identify what more needed to be done. We received their report Stepping Up in the autumn and, in response, we have established a cross-departmental working group on young runaways, to co-ordinate the Government's work on young runaways.
	The working group will develop an action plan on young runaways, to be published in June 2008, which will set out the necessary actions to improve services for young runaways, building on the principles set out in the Stepping Up report recommendations, and the recommendations made following the parliamentary panel hearings on young runaways in October 2007. The action plan will cover emergency accommodation provision, recognising the need for young runaways to have safe places or 'breathing spaces' to go to in a crisis, and the Missing from Home and Care guidance, to support local areas in delivering effective services for young runaways.
	We do not currently collect data centrally on young runaways and the services they receive. A new indicator on young people who run away from home or care has been included in the National Indicator Set, to be measured from 2009. The working group will consider what data collections will best support this indicator, and their conclusions will be represented in the action plan.

Schools: Admissions

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schools in Essex use a lottery system to allocate school places; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: We do not prescribe what policies individual admission authorities should use and therefore do not hold information centrally on the number of schools using random allocation as part of their oversubscription criteria. The school admissions code allows schools to use a number of ways to allocate places if they are oversubscribed, including random allocation. This is not newit has long been acceptable to use these criteria. Admission authorities are free to choose appropriate admission arrangements on the basis of local circumstances and parental demand, as long as they comply with the school admissions code and admissions legislation.

Schools: Firearms

David Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what guidance his Department has given to schools on contingency planning for firearms incidents on school premises.

Jim Knight: We have providedat:
	http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/emergencies/
	guidance to schools which encourages and helps them develop emergency planning and response measures against floods and fire; it also provides links to other Government sources of advice on, for example, anti-terrorism. Schools can build on such measures for dealing with large-scale evacuation, on which we contributed to Cabinet Office guidelines, and with other contingencies. We have also produced, with the Home Office, School Security: Dealing with Troublemakers and a Legal Toolkitat:
	http://www.teachernet..gov.uk/wholeschool/healthandsafety/schoolsecurity/abusivebehaviour/
	which set out the law and good practice in such a way as to help schools cope with intruders, though they do not focus on dealing with armed intruders, nor pupils bringing in firearms.
	We are working towards further guidance for schools on emergency planning and response, and will consider if and how this might cover the very rare incidents of firearms in schools.

Schools: Infectious Diseases

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many identifiable outbreaks of infection were reported by schools in each of the last five years for which figures are available; what the infection was in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Department does not collect the information requested.
	The Health Protection Agency (HPA) receives reports of outbreaks of illness in school from the Medical Officers of Schools Association (MOSA). This voluntary reporting scheme covers selected boarding schools only and it provides data on trends rather than estimates of national totals. Data for 2001 to 2006 are provided in Table 1.
	Since 2004 the HPA has also been operating a national voluntary scheme for schools to report outbreaks and incidents: the National Incident Database. Data for outbreaks and their causes in 2006, the first year for which reliable figures are available, are in Table 2.
	The HPA introduced the national Incident Reporting Information System (IRIS) to replace the National Incident Database with effect from 1 January 2007. 272 outbreaks were reported to IRIS in 2007. A detailed analysis has not yet been carried out.
	
		
			  Table 1: MOSA school outbreaks reported to the Centre for Infections through the weekly illness surveillance scheme: 2000 to 2006 
			   Type 
			   Gastro  Other  Respiratory  Total 
			 2000 6 1 17 24 
			 2001 16 9 43 68 
			 2002 21 3 24 48 
			 2003 21 1 48 70 
			 2004 15 2 18 35 
			 2005 7 1 22 30 
			 2006 7 0 19 26 
			 Total 93 17 191 301 
			  Notes:  1. Gastro: Gastrointestinal disease. Other: infectious mononucleosis, measles, rubella, chicken pox, herpes zoster, mumps, meningitis, hepatitis. Respiratory: upper respiratory tract infection, chest infection, influenza and flu-like illness.  2. There are approx 40 schools in the surveillance scheme. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Outbreaks of infectious diseases in schools reported to HPA (National Incident Database): 2006 
			  Illness  Number of outbreaks 
			  Gastrointestinal 155 
			 Diarrhoea and/or vomiting (cause not specified) 113 
			 Escherichia coli O157 1 
			 Norovirus 38 
			 Salmonella 3 
			 Mumps 4 
			   
			  Respiratory 81 
			 Acute respiratory illness 1 
			 Influenza and influenza-like illness 54 
			 Pneumococcal disease 1 
			 Scarlet fever 3 
			 Streptococcus 1 
			 Tuberculosis 1 
			 Viral respiratory illness 20 
			   
			  Respiratory + Gastrointestinal 16 
			 Influenza and norovirus 12 
			 Influenza-like illness and diarrhoea and/or vomiting 4 
			   
			  Measles, mumps rubella 7 
			 Measles 3 
			 Mumps 4 
			   
			  Skin 6 
			 Impetigo 1 
			 Ringworm 2 
			 Scabies 2 
			 Trycophyton tonsurans 1 
			   
			  Other 8 
			 Chickenpox 2 
			 Conjunctivitis 3 
			 Parvovirus (aka fifth disease, slapped cheek) 3 
			   
			  Not known/not stated  
			 Biological outbreaks, cause not stated 10 
			 Total 283

Schools: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his Department's capital expenditure on schools in the city of York was in each financial year since 1996-97.

Jim Knight: holding answer 31 January 2008
	The Department's allocation of capital for schools in the city of York in each financial year since 1996-97 is set out in the following table. Actual expenditure in any year on schools may differ from this, due to expenditure timing differences and prioritisation at local level.
	
		
			million 
			 1996-97 0.04 
			 1997-98 0.3 
			 1998-99 1.3 
			 1999-2000 2.3 
			 2000-01 4.3 
			 2001-02 3.2 
			 2002-03 6.2 
			 2003-04 5.4 
			 2004-05 4.7 
			 2005-06 5.5 
			 2006-07 53.9 
			 2007-08 4.3 
		
	
	The 5.5 million in 2005-06 in 2005-06 includes 0.9 million in respect of a targeted capital fund (TCF) scheme, and the 53.9 million allocation in 2006-07 includes 20.2 million in respect of TCF schemes and 27.4 million for a One School Pathfinder.

Science: Teachers

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many maintained mainstream schools did not have a specialist science teacher in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: This information is not available in the format requested.
	A sample survey of heads of science departments in maintained secondary schools carried out for the DFES in 2005 found that 1 per cent. of schools had no biology specialists, 7 per cent. had no chemistry specialists and 16 per cent. had no physics specialists.

Secondary Education: Standards

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent steps his Department has taken to raise standards in secondary schools.

Jim Knight: The Children's Plan, published in December 2007, includes an overview of the key activities we are undertaking to raise standards in secondary schools. Some key facts are:
	Record numbers of 16-year-olds are now achieving five good GCSEs. In total over 470,000 more young people have gained at least five good GCSEs over the period 1997-2007. Total funding per pupil has increased by 87 per cent. in real terms since 1997, and the full-time equivalent (FTE) number of teachers in local authority maintained secondary schools has increased by 27,400 and 69,500 for FTE teaching assistants and other support staff.
	2007 provisional results show there has been a 17 percentage point increase in the number of 14-year-old pupils achieving level 5 or above in English, a 16 percentage point increase in mathematics and a 13 percentage point increase in science at key stage 3 since 1997. At key stage 4, 60.8 per cent. of pupils aged 15 achieved five or more good GCSEsa 15.7 percentage point increase since 1997which means the 2008 60 per cent. target for the percentage achieving 5+ A*-C grades has been achieved a year early.
	Through the Building Schools for the Future and Academies programmes we are investing 9.3 billion over the three years 2007-2008 to 2010-2011 to rebuild or refurbish every secondary school in England.
	More than 2,800 secondary schools88 per cent. of the totalhave specialist school status and we are on track to achieve the target of every eligible school achieving specialist status by next year. More than 300 schools have either become Trusts or are working towards Trust status enabling them to work with external partners to create a distinctive ethos and direction for their school.
	There are now 83 academies open in 49 local authorities. The Government are firmly committed to establishing 400 academies and regard the scaling up of the programme as a national imperative, supported by the growing body of evidenceimproved GCSE results and key stage 3 results; and independent reports by the National Audit Office, PricewaterhouseCooper and Ofsted that academies are proving to be highly effective. A further 50 academies are projected to open in each of the following three years, (2008 to 2010), thereby exceeding the target of 200 academies by 2010.
	There is more work still to do. In recent years, the number of children eligible for free school meals achieving five good GCSEs has improved faster than the national average, but we need to do more to tackle some of the gaps between economically disadvantaged pupils and their peers, and between boys and girls.
	The Secondary National Strategy for School Improvement is at the heart of our work to transform secondary education and spreads effective teaching and learning to all schools through training and materials, a comprehensive development programme for teachers and support from local consultants who are experts in their field. This year we will be renewing the secondary frameworks for teaching to provide teachers with resources to capitalise on the opportunity presented by the new secondary curriculum to accelerate progress for all pupils.
	To ensure that all pupils are able to fulfil their potential, we continue to seek to improve attendance and behaviour in schools. Our national programme will strengthen schools' capacity, to increase significantly the two-thirds of secondary schools judged good or outstanding by Ofsted in standards of behaviour. The Children's Plan set for all local authorities the goal of 5 per cent. or fewer 'persistent absentees' amongst their secondary pupils by 2011, reducing the level by a third compared to 2006.

Special Educational Needs: Somerset

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children in Somerset had special educational needs in each year since 2001, broken down by category of special educational need.

Kevin Brennan: Since 2004, the Department for Children, Schools and Families has collected data on pupils' type of special educational need (SEN) as part of the School Census. There are a range of factors which may affect the data recorded, including:
	local interpretation of definitions;
	classification of children with multiple needs;
	differences in diagnoses between education and health professionals; and
	availability of school-based provision.
	To minimise the impact of these factors, revised guidance was available to schools from October 2005. The data collected on pupils' type of need is suitably reliable and robust to analyse at local authority level from January 2006 onwards. The available figures covering 2006 and 2007 have been placed in the Library. Information on the primary type of need is only collected for pupils with statements of special educational needs or at School Action Plus. It is not collected for pupils at School Action.
	The information has been taken from the Statistical First Release Special Educational Needs in England which is published annually. The latest figures, for 2007, can be accessed at:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000732/index.shtml

Teachers

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many qualified teachers trained in  (a) food technology,  (b) history and  (c) a modern language in each year since 1997.

Jim Knight: The tables show the number of teachers gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for history and modern foreign languages by Mainstream and Employment Based Routes (EBR) Initial Teacher Training (ITT). Data for food technology are not available separately as they are included within aggregate figures for design and technology.
	
		
			  Table 1 Mainstream ITT; Teachers gaining QTS: Academic years 1997/98 to 2005/06 England 
			   Modern foreign languages  History 
			  Secondary  s ubject   
			 1997/98 1,490 870 
			 1998/99 1,410 790 
			 1999/2000 1,290 760 
			 2000/01 1,390 770 
			 2001/02 1,340 790 
			 2002/03 1,350 840 
			 2003/04 1,450 850 
			 2004/05 1,360 830 
			 2005/06 1,260 780 
			  Notes: 1. Includes Universities and other Higher Education institutions, SCITT and Open University, but excludes employment based routes. 2. Rounded to the nearest 10. 3. Cases where QTS is granted on assessment without a course on ITT are not included in the table.  Source: TDA Performance Profiles 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2 Employment  b ased ITT  t eachers gaining QTS: Academic years 2001/02 to 2005/06England 
			   Modern foreign languages  History 
			  Secondary  s ubject   
			 2001/02 170 50 
			 2002/03 230 60 
			 2003/04 230 90 
			 2004/05 240 130 
			 2005/06 220 130 
			  Note: Rounded to the nearest 10  Source: TDA Performance Profiles

Teachers: Training

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many institutions have brought together training for early years professional status and qualified teacher status and awarded both concurrently;
	(2)  how many Bachelor of Education courses include training on working with children from birth to the age of three.

Jim Knight: holding answer 29 January 2008
	None so far, but the Training and Development Agency for Schools and Children's Workforce Development Council will soon be discussing this with training providers of initial teaching and early years professional status to explore the feasibility of such training being offered.
	None. The Secretary of State's requirements for initial teacher training (which includes PGCE as well as BA and BEd courses) only covers the ages three to 19. However, beyond initial teacher training, degree courses to provide training on working with children in the 0-3 age-range are available via the Early Years Sector Endorsed Foundation Degree and the Early Years Study Degree. Training towards the award of Early Years Professional Status is also available for graduates who wish to develop their knowledge and experience of working with 0-3 year olds.

Urdu: Teachers

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many qualified teachers were trained to teach Urdu last year.

Jim Knight: The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) did not fund any initial teacher training (ITT) courses in Urdu for the academic year 2006/07.

Young People

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what mechanisms his Department has established to determine the prevalence of positive activities, as defined in its 2007 strategy, Aiming high for young people: a 10 year strategy for positive activities.

Beverley Hughes: The Government are putting in place a performance indicator to gather information on the participation of young people in positive activities. This will form part of the national indicator set which gathers data on the performance of local authorities. It is planned that the indicator set will be in place from April 2008.

Physical Education: Teachers

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many initial teacher training places were available for physical education teachers at Loughborough University in each of the last three years; and how many will be available in 2008-09.

Jim Knight: holding answer 31 January 2008
	In 2008/09, there will be 1,570 places available for physical educational initial teacher training (ITT). This includes school centred ITT and employment-based routes ITT, but does not include teach first.
	The following table show the number of initial teacher training (ITT) places which were allocated for physical education at Loughborough university for academic years 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08.
	
		
			  Physical education ITT allocation to Loughborough university 
			   Allocated places for physical education at Loughborough university 
			 2005/06 80 
			 2006/07 69 
			 2007/08 59 
			 2008/09 59 
			  Source: TDA's ITT Trainee Number Census.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Civil Servants: Codes of Practice

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will place in the Library a copy of the Cabinet Office guidance for civil servants on restrictions on political activity.

Tom Watson: The restrictions on the involvement of civil servants in political activities are set out in Section 4.4 of the Civil Service Management Code, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

Departmental Marketing

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what products featuring departmental or Government branding were procured by  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies in each of the last five years.

Tom Watson: The information requested for the Cabinet Office is not held centrally and is therefore available only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Marketing

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many posters or displays there are in the offices of his Department and its agencies displaying the names and photographs of Ministers; and what the cost has been of producing such posters or displays in the last five years.

Tom Watson: The Cabinet Office has not produced posters or displays focused on Ministers for general display in office buildings.
	On occasion the Department may produce material for display and distribution within the Department. For example, departmental organisation charts. Any such material is produced in-house and the costs are not separately identifiable.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Charles Walker: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the special advisers employed in the Cabinet Office since 6 May 1997; and what the  (a) start and  (b) end date of employment was in each case.

Tom Watson: Since 2003, the Government have published on an annual basis the names and numbers of special advisers in each pay band. For the most recent information I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister on 22 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 147-50WS.
	Information on the employment of special advisers prior to 2003 was provided at regular intervals and is available in the Library of the House.

Departmental Public Consultations

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 20 November 2007,  Official Report, column 682W, on departmental public consultations, if he will place copies in the Library of the  (a) summary and  (b) full findings of each such internal survey undertaken since 1 March 2007.

Tom Watson: The Department's annual People Survey is an extensive survey and covers all staff. Reports of these annual surveys from 2005 and 2006 are available in the Library and the civil service website at:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/iam/staff_surveys.asp
	A report on the 2007 annual survey, carried out in December 2007, will be published in due course.
	In the run-up to the annual survey the Department conducted short internal surveys of a small sample of staff. These surveys were purely for internal management purposes only and are not for publication.

INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS

Departmental ICT

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many  (a) male and  (b) female members of staff in his Department were issued with personal digital assistants in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: DIUS was created in July 2007 by the amalgamation of elements from BERR (formerly DTI) and DCSF (formerly DFES). As a consequence it has not existed for the time scale specified.
	There are currently 50 males and 48 females who have been issued with personal digital assistants in DIUS.

English Language: Education

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills at which institutions English for Speakers of Other Languages approved courses were delivered in the latest period for which figures are available; and at what level each provided courses.

David Lammy: The latest set of data is from 2005/06 for those enrolled with a learning aim of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and is collected across nine Learning and Skills Council (LSC) regional locations. This is as follows:
	
		
			  ESOL 2005/06 
			   All levels  Entry level  Level 1  Level 2 ( 1) Unknown 
			 East Midlands 42,316 20,431 2,654 842 18,389 
			 East of England 34,854 19,515 2,872 1,135 11,332 
			 Greater London 184,606 108,668 16,042 6,729 53,167 
			 National Employer Service 14,097 3,428 0 0 10,669 
			 North East 17,189 10,174 980 396 5,639 
			 North West 55,863 29,631 5,260 2,018 18,954 
			 South East 64,890 33,565 7,094 3,070 21,161 
			 South West 32,605 16,393 3,598 1,350 11,264 
			 West Midlands 58,908 32,322 3,474 924 22,188 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 44,100 24,230 3,351 1,617 14,902 
			 All LSC regions 549,429 298,357 45,325 18,081 187,664 
			 (1) Unknown: where the provider has not stipulated a level, often as the course can be tailored to meet different levels.

European Youth Pact

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps his Department has taken in consequence of the European Youth Pact.

Bill Rammell: The European Youth Pact calls on member states to equip young people with the necessary knowledge, opportunities, skills and competencies to ensure that they can contribute to the achievement of Lisbon goals of boosting jobs and growth. The United Kingdom implements the pact as part of its wider National Reform Programme (NRP) to meet these Lisbon goals.
	The NRP involves a co-ordinated approach by a number of Government Departments and DIUS has a crucial role to play, particularly on skills. The Education and Skills Bill, which will bring in the legislative changes needed to implement key elements of the Leitch review, will increase participation in learning for young people and adults driving towards the Government's aim of a country with world class skills by 2020.

Flags

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills if he will make a statement on his policy on the flying of EU flags by establishments for which his Department is responsible.

David Lammy: The Department adheres to Government policy on the flying of EU flags on Government buildings. This policy states that the EU flag can be flown once a year on Europe Day (9 May), provided that the building has two or more flagpoles and that the Union flag is also flown in a superior position. Individual local authorities, and the educational establishments for which they are responsible, can choose to fly any flag of their choice.

Further Education: Higher Education

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many students were studying for a higher educational qualification in a further education college in each of the last five years.

Bill Rammell: The latest available information is given in the following table.
	
		
			  Higher education enrolments at English further education colleges( 1) academic years 2001/02 to 2005/06 
			  Academic year  Enrolments 
			 2001/02 139,630 
			 2002/03 134,970 
			 2003/04 143,065 
			 2004/05 141,365 
			 2005/06 139,410 
			 (1) Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies transferred to the Higher Education sector in 2002 and Leeds College of Music transferred in July 2005.  Note: Figures are on a DIUS whole year count basis, which counts students enrolled at any point in the academic year, and have been rounded to the nearest five.  Source: Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Individualised Learner Record 
		
	
	The changes in the number of Higher Education Enrolments at Further Education Colleges will have been affected by the transfer of institutions from the Further Education sector to the Higher Education sector. In addition, changes in the reporting methods used to record franchising arrangements between Higher Education Institutions and Further Education Colleges may have contributed to the changes in numbers. Franchising is a process where students take a course delivered by an institution on behalf of another institution and this often occurs between Higher Education Institutions and Further Education Colleges.

Higher Education: Essex

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what percentage of school leavers went on to higher education in  (a) Romford,  (b) Essex and  (c) Greater London in 2007.

Bill Rammell: This information is not held centrally.
	The main measure for tracking progress on increasing participation in higher education is currently the higher education initial participation rate (HEIPR). This is the sum of the HE initial participation rates for individual ages between 17 and 30 inclusive. It covers English-domiciled first time entrants to HE courses, which are expected to last for at least six months, at UK higher education institutions and English, Scottish and Welsh further education colleges, and who remain on their course for at least six months. The latest available figure is 42.8 per cent. for 2005/06.
	The equivalent figure for 18-year-olds only is 21.3 per cent. for 2005/06.
	Figures for 2006/07 will become available in 2008. The HEIPR is not disaggregated below national level.

Higher Education: Student Wastage

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many applicants accepted onto higher education courses did not commence those courses as first time students in  (a) 2004-05,  (b) 2005-06 and  (c) 2006-07.

Bill Rammell: The available information, showing the number of students who obtained a place but opted to defer entry, is given in the table. The most recent information published by UCAS for 2007 entry shows that accepted applicants from England rose to 306,960, the highest ever figure.
	
		
			  English domiciled students accepted for entry to full-time undergraduate courses at UK HE institutions 
			  Year of entry  All accepted applicants  Of which:  Those deferring entry 
			 2004 277,080 23,005 
			 2005 301,800 25,170 
			 2006 289,230 22,960 
			 2007 306,960 23,259 
			  Source:  Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Figures cover students who were accepted to first degree, foundation degree, HND and Dip HE courses, at UK HE institutions and at a small number of FE colleges.

Investors in People: Finance

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the sum revenue accrued from businesses by Investors in People UK was in the latest period for which figures are available.

David Lammy: I can confirm that the sum revenue accrued from businesses by Investors in People UK for the year ended 31 March 2007 is 692,087, according to their published accounts.

Music: Internet

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps he has  (a) taken and  (b) plans to take to prevent the illegal downloading of (i) music and (ii) films from the internet; what discussions (A) he, (B) Ministers in his Department and (C) officials have had with representatives of the music and film industry on the matter since June 2007; what the (1) location and (2) duration of each meeting was; whether a record of each meeting was kept; who attended each meeting; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: Ministers from the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills work regularly with other Ministers across Government. They have regular contact with representatives of the music and film industries, as have officials, to discuss a range of IP related issues including those relating to the protection of copyright.
	The illegal downloading of copyright protected music and films from the internet is a serious issue and through the UK Intellectual Property Office DIUS works to tackle these issues, by ensuring that the legal framework for copyright is effective and by taking action on enforcement, for example through the National IP Crime Strategy. In addition we work with right holders and other stakeholders to improve awareness and respect for IP among usersto try and reduce demand for, and supply of, illegal content.
	Ministers and officials from the UK-IPO meet regularly with representatives of the music and film industries as well as other stakeholders, such as other types of rightsholders, technology companies and users of copyright materials. Meetings often cover a diverse range of topics relating to copyright issues and in many instances will involve discussions on key issues such as the illegal downloading of online materials. A detailed inspection of the records shows that during the period in question meetings took place with a variety of organisations representing the music and film industries. Ministers and/or senior officials met with organisations such as British Music Rights, BPI, EMI, the Musicians' Union, the British Copyright Council, the British Screen Advisory Council, the UK Film Council, Time Warner, and the Alliance against IP Theft. These meetings generally took place in either Government premises or at the offices of the organisation concerned, and commonly lasted for an hour or so. The extent of any records kept, including records of who attended, depends on the subject matterin many instances these meetings were introductory meetings which covered a large number of topics. It is not known to what extent non-governmental attendees may have made their own records.

Performing Arts: Royalties

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what representations he has received since June 2007 on performing rights royalties; what discussions  (a) he,  (b) Ministers in his Department and  (c) officials have had with representatives of the music and film industry since June 2007 on this issue; what the (i) location and (ii) duration of each meeting was; whether a record of each meeting was kept; who attended each meeting; and if he will undertake an assessment of the effectiveness of the royalties system.

Ian Pearson: Ministers and officials from my Department have had, and continue to have, regular contact with representatives of the music and film industry. An inspection of available records show that there have been no substantive discussions on performing rights royalties during this period.
	In terms of other representations, the Department has occasionally received letters forwarded by hon. Members from their constituents about this issue.
	Although copyright law that underpins these royalties is shaped largely by international and European law, Ministers and officials are aware of the need to keep the UK system under review. The most recent review of intellectual property, by Andrew Gowers, made no recommendations which directly focused on the royalties system.

Physical Education: Training

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many initial teacher training places will be available for physical education teachers in 2008-09.

Jim Knight: holding answer 31 January 2008
	I have been asked to reply.
	In 2008/09, there will be 1,570 places available for physical educational initial teacher training (ITT). This includes school centred ITT and employment-based routes ITT, but does not include teach first.
	The following table show the number of initial teacher training (ITT) places which were allocated for physical education at Loughborough university for academic years 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08.
	
		
			  Physical education ITT allocation to Loughborough university 
			   Allocated places for physical education at Loughborough university 
			 2005/06 80 
			 2006/07 69 
			 2007/08 59 
			 2008/09 59 
			  Source: TDA's ITT Trainee Number Census.

Student Loans Company: Complaints

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Cheltenham of 15 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1200W, on Student Loans Company: complaints, if he will provide the equivalent information on complaints to the Student Loans Company made from January 2001 to November 2006.

Bill Rammell: The total number of complaints received by the Student Loans Company (SLC) about the income contingent loan scheme in the period April 2005 to November 2006 is set out in the following table. This information is not available prior to April 2005.
	
		
			  Complaints received by the SLC about ICL repayments April 2005 to November 2006 
			   Deductions taken  Incorrect advicetelephone and correspondence  Misunderstood scheme  System/clerical failure  Total 
			 November 2006 10 0 8 5 23 
			 October 2006 5 0 13 8 26 
			 September 2006 3 0 7 6 16 
			 August 2006 6 0 20 16 42 
			 July 2006 6 2 8 4 20 
			 June 2006 6 0 13 4 23 
			 May 2006 5 1 10 7 23 
			 April 2006 2 0 11 5 18 
			 March 2006 2 3 9 7 21 
			 February 2006 2 0 10 6 18 
			 January 2006 2 0 11 6 19 
			 December 2005 4 0 15 3 22 
			 November 2005 2 1 8 10 21 
			 October 2005 1 2 9 9 21 
			 September 2005 4 1 0 3 8 
			 August 2005 12 0 3 5 20 
			 July 2005 2 0 3 7 12 
			 June 2005 5 1 16 9 31 
			 May 2005 2 1 11 3 17 
			 April 2005 3 1 14 6 24 
			 Total 84 13 199 129 (425)

Students Debts

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much student debt is owed to the Government.

Bill Rammell: At as the end of the financial year 2006-07, for English domiciled students and EU students studying in England, there was a total of 18,100 million loans outstanding, consisting of 17,000 million income contingent loans, and 1,100 million mortgage style loans.

Students: Finance

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many complaints have been received about the time taken to pay student loans or grants; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for complaints.

Bill Rammell: In the academic year 2007-08 the Student Loans Company (SLC) has so far received 65 complaints about the time taken to pay student loans or grants. We do not have a breakdown of the causes of the complaints received by SLC and we have no record of complaints that may have been made to local authorities.
	The SLC has paid loans and grants to 825,000 customers attending university in England in academic year 2007-08. Delays can occur at different parts of the process: late applications; delays in supplying information and evidence; if confirmation is not received that students have registered at their college; if assessment and approval processes are not completed within the agreed performance standards.

Students: Grants

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what plans there are to give grants to more university students.

Bill Rammell: We announced in July last year that from academic year 2008/09 we will substantially increase the number of students entitled to non-repayable maintenance grants. The minimum household income for a full maintenance grant of 2,835 a year will be extended from 17,910 in 2007/08 to 25,000 in 2008/09. The maximum household income for a partial maintenance grant has been raised from 38,300 in 2007/08 to 60,005 in 2008/09. By 2011, the number of students receiving some level of grant will increase by 100,000. As part of this change, an extra 50,000 students will receive a full grant. In total, around two thirds of eligible students will be entitled to a full or partial grant each yearcompared to around a half now. The new grant arrangements will be available to all eligible 2008/09 entrants, including those who have deferred entry from academic year 2007/08. The aim of these new arrangements is to ensure that everyone with the potential to progress into higher education has the financial support to do so, no matter what their background.

Students: Loans

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills for what reasons the annual percentage interest rate on student loans increased from 2.4 per cent. to 4.8 per cent. on 1 September 2007.

Bill Rammell: Student loans have very different features to commercial loans. Graduates with income contingent loans (ICL) only repay once they are in work and only when their annual income reaches 15,000. Interest is charged at the rate of inflation, so students only pay back in real terms the amount they originally borrowed.
	This is achieved by linking the interest rate for student loans to the annual rate of inflation as defined by the retail prices index (RPI). The interest rate is recalculated each year at the beginning of September using the RPI figure from the previous March. This methodology ensures that over time the student loan interest rate will be equivalent to the rate of inflation but with a time lag.
	For the academic year 2007/08, the interest rate is set at the rate for RPI for the year to March 20074.8 per cent. Although the underlying RPI rate has fallen since March, and is now below the 2007/08 student loan interest rate, this works both ways. In other years, the time-lag will benefit borrowers, as it did in 2006/07. Over time, peaks and troughs even out, and borrowers repay no more in real terms than they borrow.

Students: Loans

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the resource cost is expected to be of  (a) fee loans and  (b) maintenance loans in each year from 2008-09 to 2010-11.

Bill Rammell: Provision for the resource cost of fee and maintenance loans for English domiciled HE students in RAB terms(1) is shown in the following table. The RAB charge applied for fee loans is 33 per cent. and for maintenance loans is 21 per cent.(2)
	(1) The RAB charge is an estimate of the percentage of the face value of loans issued in that year which reflects the resource cost over the expected life of the loan to the Government of making the loans.
	(2 )Figures exclude the impact of the repayment holiday.
	
		
			   2008-09  2009-10  2010-11 
			 Maintenance loans 573 584 606 
			 Fee loans 596 722 782

Written Questions: Government Responses

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills when he will answer question  (a) 177121,  (b) 177140 and  (c) 177131 tabled by the hon. Member for Southend West on 4 January 2008; what the reason for the time taken to reply is in each case; what steps he has (i) taken and (ii) plans to take to seek to answer ordinary written questions within a working week of them being tabled; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: I replied to questions 177140, 177119 and 177121 today and apologise for the delay. Question 177131 has been transferred to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to answer.

Young People

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many  (a) 16-year-olds,  (b) 17-year-olds and  (c) 18 to 24-year-olds are  (a) in part-time education and  (b) not in any education.

Jim Knight: I have been asked to reply.
	Estimates of participation in education for those aged 16 to 18 are published annually by the Department in a Statistical First Release (SFR) each June. The most recent estimates of the number and proportion of academic age 16, 17, and 18-year-olds in England in full-time education, part-time education, and not in any education, are shown in the following tables. The figures relate to the end of 2006. Note that young people classed as 'not in education' will include those in work-based learning and other training.
	
		
			  Proportion of young people in education by academic age (DCSF SFR) 
			  Percentage 
			   Academic Age 
			   16  17  18 
			 Full-time education 78 65 41 
			 Part-time education 4 5 6 
			 Not in education 18 30 53 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of young people in education by academic age (DSCF SFR) 
			  Number 
			   Academic Age 
			   16  17  18 
			 Full-time education 516,900 428,600 277,500 
			 Part-time education 25,400 33,700 40,400 
			 Not in education 119,900 197,200 361,900 
		
	
	The Department does not publish estimates of participation in education above academic age 18. However, it is possible to produce estimates for 18 to 24-year-olds from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). Estimates for England from the LFS, relating to the first quarter of 2007, are shown in the following tables. It is important to note that the LFS will not produce estimates that directly match those from the Department's Participation SFR, and that they will be subject to sampling error and respondent error. The LFS estimates of population size by cohort also differ from the Participation SFR. LFS estimates are also provided for young people of academic age 16, 17 and 18 for comparison with the Departments estimates as tabled above.
	
		
			  Proportion in education by academic age, Labour Force Survey 
			  Percentage 
			   Academic Age 
			   16  17  18  18 to 24 
			 Full-time education 78 69 45 25 
			 Part-time education 5 7 6 8 
			 Not in education 17 24 49 67 
		
	
	
		
			  Number in education by academic age, Labour Force Survey 
			  Number 
			   Academic Age 
			   16  17  18  18 to 24 
			 Full-time education 517,363 434,132 287,332 1,087,573 
			 Part-time education 32,257 42,982 38,390 340,353 
			 Not in education* 110,723 149,879 308,349 2,862,338

Young People

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what his latest estimate is of the percentage of 16 to 18-year-olds not in education or training in  (a) England,  (b) Leeds metropolitan district area and  (c) Leeds West constituency.

Jim Knight: I have been asked to reply.
	Estimates of participation in education, training and employment in England for those aged 16 to 18 are published annually by the Department in a Statistical First Release (SFR) each June. The most recent estimate of the proportion of young people of academic age 16 to 18 not in any education or training in England was 22.7 per cent. This estimate relates to the end of 2006.
	The Department also publishes local estimates of participation in England alongside the national figures, but these are available only for young people of academic age 16 and 17. The local figures are available by local authority, but cannot be broken down by parliamentary constituency. The local participation estimates cover those in full-time education, part-time education, and work-based learning, but do not identify young people in employer funded training(1) or other education and training(2) apart from those on a part-time education course. This means that young people on such training will be included in the not in education or work-based learning figure.
	The most recent local estimates for Leeds relate to the end of 2005, and are shown in the following table. The equivalent national estimates, calculated on the same basis, are also shown for comparison.
	(1) Employer-funded training covers employees who have received training in the past four weeks, other than on a part-time education course.
	(2) Other education and training covers young people who are studying but are not included in other categories. For example those attending independent colleges or training centres, or those at any college in part-time study not reported as released from job.
	
		
			  Proportion of young people not in education or work-based learning by academic age, end 2005 
			  Percentage 
			   16  17  18  16 to 18 
			 Leeds Metropolitan district area 22 32 n/a n/a 
			 England 14 24 46 28

Young People: Vocational Training

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what his latest estimate is of the percentage of 16 to 18-year-olds in work-based learning, including apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships in  (a) England,  (b) the Leeds metropolitan district area and  (c) Leeds West constituency.

Jim Knight: I have been asked to reply.
	Estimates of participation in education, training and employment in England for those aged 16 to 18 are published annually by the Department in a Statistical First Release (SFR) each June. The most recent estimate of the proportion of young people of academic age 16 to 18 in work-based learning in England was 7.2 per cent. This estimate relates to the end of 2006. The figure includes all young people on apprenticeships, advanced apprenticeships, NVQ learning and Entry to Employment, but not pre-apprenticeships, since these are not yet available for study.
	Pre-apprenticeships will be part of the offer to young people for whom a Level 2 programme is not yet suitable. We are reforming the qualifications and programmes at this levelthe Foundation Learning Tierand trials are under way of four new pathways, one of which is specifically designed for young people who are preparing to progress into the workplace, as a successor to Entry to Employment.
	The Department also publishes local estimates of participation in England alongside the national figures, but these are available only for young people of academic age 16 and 17. The local figures are available by local authority, but cannot be broken down by parliamentary constituency. The most recent local estimates for participation in work-based learning for Leeds relate to the end of 2005, and are shown in the following table. The equivalent national estimates are also shown for comparison.
	
		
			  Proportion of young people in work-based learning by academic age, end 2005 
			  Percentage 
			   16  17  18  16 to 18 
			 Leeds Metropolitan district area 6 8 n/a n/a 
			 England 6 8 8 7

JUSTICE

Freedom of Information: Appeals

Denis Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many decisions by public bodies not to disclose information under the Freedom of Information Act have been appealed against since 2005.

Michael Wills: The Ministry of Justice does not have a central record of the number of refusals appealed for internal review for all public authorities. Since 2005, the Information Commissioner has received 7,582 applications for a decision under section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act. Many of these complaints are procedural, concerningfor examplea public authority's timeliness. Owing to the highly varied nature of complaints, comprehensive data on the number of substantive appeals to the commissioner are not available.
	Requesters have made 136 appeals to the Information Tribunal under the Freedom of Information Act (including 14 cases relating to decisions under the Environmental Information Regulations). Requesters have made two appeals against Information Tribunal decisions to the High Court.

Ministry of Justice: Reorganisation

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the Written Ministerial Statement of 29 January 2007,  Official Report, columns 8-10, on Ministry of Justice (Reorganisation), what criteria his Department plans to use to judge the performance of the new structure in  (a) improving public protection,  (b) reducing reoffending,  (c) improving relations with the judiciary and  (d) streamlining leadership in Wales; and what measurement process will be used.

David Hanson: The new structure for the Ministry of Justice will provide the Department with a sharper focus on its key priorities, including public protection and reducing re-offending, and improving relations with the judiciary, while streamlining leadership across the whole of the Department's agenda and removing duplication and overlapping responsibilities. A performance framework is being developed for the Department, which will include indicators for monitoring progress against departmental strategic objectives and our commitments, including any specifically relating to Wales, within the government public service agreements. It will also have indicators for assessing improvements in the way we work across the Department.

National Offender Management Service: PFI

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether the budget for prison and probation service property held at the National Offender Management Service includes repayment costs for private finance initiative projects.

Maria Eagle: The property private finance initiative (PFI) projects are treated as on balance sheet. Capital expenditure related to PFI projects is charged in full against the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) capital budget at the time the asset is ready for use. In addition, the NOMS estimate of costs of construction due to the contractor is also recognised on the NOMS balance sheet as a liability. Ongoing payments to contractors are then used to reduce the liability over time and therefore are not recorded against the NOMS budget, as all capital expenditure is recorded in full when the asset is ready for use.
	The NOMS resource budget, which includes prison and probation service property budgets, includes an allowance for depreciation on the asset value and cost of capital charge on the asset value and the liability value.

Offenders: Accommodation

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how residential accommodation operated under the auspices of ClearSprings is used to house offenders in receipt of a custodial sentence in Peterborough City Council area; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with  (a) ClearSprings and  (b) Cambridgeshire Probation Service on the allocation of residential accommodation for offenders in the Peterborough City Council area; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: Only those offenders who could be released on Home detention curfew (HDC) who have no suitable address to go to, and following a thorough risk assessment by the prison governor, can be accommodated under the bail accommodation and support service provided by ClearSprings. I advised the hon. Member on 29 January that there are four HDC releases accommodated in Peterborough. The scheme aims to help them move on into more permanent accommodation and to help them into training and/or work.
	The National Offender Manager for the East of England determined the accommodation required relative to the location of courts and local establishments. Liaison is ongoing with Cambridgeshire probation with regular meetings and written communications.

Parole: Reoffenders

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prison recalls there were in each of the last 12 months; how many of those were due to  (a) breaches of licence and  (b) committal of further offences; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: All offenders recalled to custody will have breached one or more of the conditions of their licence (including those on life licence and the home detention curfew scheme). We do not hold a comprehensive breakdown of reasons for recall prior to April 2007. The number of offenders recalled in each of the last 12 months together with the number recalled following a charge for a further offence since April 2007 is provided in the following table.
	
		
			  Month  Number of offenders recalled  Number recalled for further charges 
			 January 2007 1,234  
			 February 2007 1,147  
			 March 2007 1,196  
			 April 2007 957 246 
			 May 2007 1,025 223 
			 June 2007 1,155 261 
			 July 2007 1,183 272 
			 August 2007 1,214 321 
			 September 2007 907 241 
			 October 2007 1,157 266 
			 November 2007 1,132 287 
			 December 2007 992 172

Prison and Probation Service: Wales

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for what reasons he chose  (a) Wales and  (b) London as the first regions in which to introduce the structural changes to the prison and probation service; and what factors he took into account in choosing those regions.

Maria Eagle: The decision to move to new regional structures for the Prison and Probation Services in London and Wales in April as part of the restructuring of the National Offender Management Service was taken because the operational assessment is that the transition to these new arrangements will be more straightforward in London and Wales than in other regions.

Procurement

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 7 January 2008,  Official Report, column 171W, on procurement, whether his Department has a central procurement division.

Maria Eagle: There are a number of procurement and commercial units serving specific parts of the Ministry of Justice.
	As announced on 29 January, a new top structure for the Ministry of Justice will be in place on 1 April, more detailed changes to provide a coherent structure for managing the Department will be implemented over the next few months.

Public Bodies: Freedom of Information

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what advice or guidance has been given to public authorities on signing contracts with external non-public bodies which have provisions which  (a) facilitate and  (b) limit disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Michael Wills: The Secretary of State issues the Code of Practice on the Discharge of Public Authorities' Functions under Part I of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. It was laid before Parliament in November 2004. Part V sets out guidance on freedom of information and confidentiality obligations in contracts.
	Further guidance on freedom of information and confidentiality obligations in contracts is available on the Ministry of Justice Freedom of Information and Office of Government Commerce websites.

Public Sector Data Sharing

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on what date his Department's guidance, Public sector data sharing: guidance on the law, was originally published; when it was last updated; and what plans there are to revise or amend it.

Michael Wills: Public Sector Data Sharing: Guidance on the Law was published by the Department for Constitutional Affairs in November 2003. This guidance continues to reflect the current position of the data sharing legal framework. It has not been updated although we keep it under continuous review.

Rape: Sentencing

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average sentence length for those convicted of rape was in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

David Hanson: The requested information is contained in the following table.
	
		
			  Average length of immediate custodial sentence( 1)  for the offence of rape, all courts, England and Wales, 2004-06 
			  Offencerape( 2)  Average length of sentence( 1) 
			 2004 93.9 
			 2005 84.7 
			 2006 84.1 
			 (1) Excludes life and indeterminate sentences. (2) Includes rape of a male and rape of a female under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.  Note: These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the return the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.  Source: RDS-NOMS, Ministry of Justice 31 January 2008 Ref: PQ(RN)059-08 
		
	
	Figures for 2007 will be available from autumn 2008.

Reoffenders

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many and what proportion of probation recalls to prison were for serious offences in each month since 2000; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many probation recalls to prison were there in each month since 2000; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  how many prison recalls there were in each year since 2000; how many in each year were due to  (a) breaches of licence and  (b) committal of further offences; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: Information held centrally gives a breakdown of recalled offenders and a breakdown of offenders who were charged with committing a serious further offence, as defined by the national probation serious further offence review process. To provide a breakdown of offenders who were both charged with a serious further offence and who were subsequently recalled would require a manual trawl of two databases; this would incur disproportionate cost.
	The annual figures for the number of offenders who were on licence (including life licence and Home Detention Curfew) and recalled to custody are in the following table. To break this information down into monthly totals would incur disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Financial year  Number of determinate recalls 
			 2000-01 3,226 
			 2001-02 5,042 
			 2002-03 9,057 
		
	
	The number of prisoner recalled to custody has increased over recent years. There are several reasons for this increase: nearly all prisoners on licence can now be recalled to prison executively by the Secretary of State. Prior to 1998, prisoners serving less than four years could be recalled only by the courts, a slow and bureaucratic process that was rarely used. The Probation Service has become far more effective in enforcing licence conditions. In 1997 appropriate enforcement action was taken in only a third of cases where the offender breached a sentence being served in the community. This figure was over 90 per cent. in 2007; and there is more robust supervision of high risk licensees and better information sharing between police and probation, through multi agency public protection arrangements.
	A breakdown of the number of offenders returned to custody following a breach of their licence (including life licence and Home Detention Curfew conditions) in each month since June 2003 is in the table.
	
		
			  Month/year  Total 
			  2003  
			 June 914 
			 July 956 
			 August 869 
			 September 915 
			 October 1,113 
			 November 880 
			 December 987 
			  2004  
			 January 1,046 
			 February 1,065 
			 March 1,079 
			 April 945 
			 May 941 
			 June 1,007 
			 July 1,029 
			 August 900 
			 September 943 
			 October 915 
			 November 962 
			 December 900 
			  2005  
			 January 893 
			 February 821 
			 March 817 
			 April 974 
			 May 880 
			 June 1,053 
			 July 1,089 
			 August 1,014 
			 September 616 
			 October 978 
			 November 1,114 
			 December 1,007 
			  2006  
			 January 949 
			 February 815 
			 March 963 
			 April 757 
			 May 1,028 
			 June 981 
			 July 1,300 
			 August 1,233 
			 September 1,300 
			 October 1,146 
			 November 1,009 
			 December 943 
			  2007  
			 January 1,234 
			 February 1,147 
			 March 1,196 
			 April 957 
			 May 1,025 
			 June 1,155 
			 July 1,183 
			 August 1,214 
			 September 907 
			 October 1,157 
			 November 1,132 
			 December 992 
		
	
	All offenders recalled to custody will have breached one or more of the conditions of their licence (including those on life licence and the Home Detention Curfew scheme). We do not hold a comprehensive breakdown of reasons for recall prior to April 2007. The number of offenders recalled in each of the last 12 months together with the number recalled following a charge for a further offence since April 2007 is provided in the table as follows.
	
		
			  As at 2007  Number of offenders recalled  Number recalled for further charges 
			 January 1,234  
			 February 1,147  
			 March 1,196  
			 April 957 246 
			 May 1,025 223 
			 June 1,155 261 
			 July 1,183 272 
			 August 1,214 321 
			 September 907 241 
			 October 1,157 266 
			 November 1,132 287 
			 December 992 172

Robbery: Children

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many children were charged or cautioned for robbery in  (a) the east of England and  (b) Suffolk in each of the last five years.

Maria Eagle: The number of children aged 10 to 17 given reprimands and final warnings in  (a) the east of England and  (b) Suffolk for the years 2002 to 2006 can be found in table 1.
	From 1 June 2000 the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came into force nationally and removed the use of cautions for persons under 18 and replaced them with reprimands and final warnings. These figures show the total for final warnings and reprimands which make up cautions.
	Information on charging is not reported to the Ministry of Justice, but proceeded against data have been provided in table 2.
	
		
			  Table 1:  The number of children aged 10 to 17 given reprimands and final warnings for robbery offences in (a)  e ast of England and (b) Suffolk for the years 2002 to 2006( 1,2,3,4) 
			  Region  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 East region excluding Suffolk 27 35 26 30 37 
			 Suffolk 3 3 4 5 2 
			 Total (i.e. east region including Suffolk) 30 38 30 35 39 
			 (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Includes the following statute: Theft Act 1968. (4) From 1 June 2000 the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came into force nationally and removed the use of cautions for persons under 18 and replaced them with reprimands and final warnings. These figures show the total for final warnings and reprimands which make up cautions.  Source: Court proceedings database held by RDS Office for Criminal Justice ReformMinistry of Justice 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2:  The number of children aged 10 to 17 proceeded against at magistrates courts for robbery offences in (a) east of England and (b) Suffolk for the years 2002 to 2006( 1,2,3) 
			  Region  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 East region excl Suffolk 501 414 414 389 442 
			 Suffolk 22 26 32 19 24 
			 Total (i.e. east region including Suffolk) 523 440 446 408 466 
			 (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Includes the following statute: Theft Act 1968  Source: Court proceedings database held by RDS Office for Criminal Justice ReformMinistry of Justice

Speed Limits: Fines

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how much revenue has been raised by  (a) Lancashire county council,  (b) Ribble Valley borough council,  (c) Preston city council,  (d) Blackburn with Darwen borough council,  (e) South Ribble borough council and  (f) Lancashire constabulary from speed camera fines in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many fines from speed cameras were  (a) unpaid and  (b) overdue in Lancashire county council area at the most recent date for which figures were available.

Maria Eagle: Available information from 2001 to 2005 (latest available) is provided in the following table. 2006 data will be available later this year.
	Information on revenue from speed camera convictions is not collected centrally.
	The information collected by my department identifies the number of fixed penalties ordered to be paid and the number and amounts of court fines issued for each offences within each police force area. Fixed penalties that remain unpaid after the statutory period (28 days in the case of a fixed penalty resulting from unattended camera operation) are registered as fines at one and half times the original fixed penalty amount.
	The overall payment rate for fines in general for the period April to December 2007 is 92 per cent. Court systems measure whether all fines are paid. They do not break this down to those that originate from speeding Fixed Penalty Notices, so this information is not available.
	
		
			  Fixed penalty notices issued( 1)  and court imposed fines( 2,3)  for speed limit offences detected by camera( 4,5) , within Lancashire police force area, 2001-05 
			  Number of offences 
			   Fixed penalties  Court proceedings 
			   Number of tickets  Number of fines  Total amount of fines ()  Average fine () 
			 2001 21,400 1,387 140,401 183 
			 2002 88,700 1,663 110,377 66 
			 2003 95,200 4,324 296,181 68 
			 2004 61,400 3,565 256,926 72 
			 2005 61,200 2,288 173,120 76 
			 (1) Only covers notices paid where there is no further action. (2) May include cases where a fixed penalty notice was issued and not paid and referred to court. (3) Magistrates courts data only. Fines given at the Crown court total nationally (England and Wales) less than 20 each year. (4) Offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways) Regulations 1973. (5) Data are for all camera types. (6) 60 for a fixed penalty charge if paid.  Notes: 1. It is known that for some police force areas, the reporting of court proceedings in particular those relating to summary motoring offences are less than complete. 2. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Speed Limits: Fines

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) juvenile and  (b) young offenders were in each secure accommodation in each month of each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: The following tables show the number of juveniles and young adults detained in  (a) each prison establishment in England and Wales as at 30 June of each year since 1997 and  (b) each Secure Children's Home and Secure Training Centre in England and Wales as at 30 June of each year since 2000.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
	
		
			  Table 1 :  Juveniles (aged 15-17) in prison establishments in England and Wales as at 30 June each year, by establishment 
			   1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Total juvenile population(1) 2,666 2,530 2,489 2,461 2,450 2,613 2,253 2,274 2,326 2,440 2,428 
			 Ashfield 0 0 0 237 246 252 173 250 268 297 323 
			 Brinsford 143 168 151 166 180 173 174 179 186 194 147 
			 Cardiff 23 16 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Cookham Wood 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 15 
			 Castington 0 14 43 131 212 181 144 134 131 143 136 
			 Deerbolt 108 117 41 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Dover 44 42 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Downview 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 16 14 
			 Feltham 412 359 364 256 223 307 283 254 227 216 223 
			 Huntercombe 62 107 72 320 244 261 213 289 290 302 295 
			 Hull 33 22 29 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Lancaster Farms 77 40 46 107 108 172 171 180 204 209 220 
			 Northallerton 34 28 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Onley 103 170 188 114 200 190 197 0 0 0 0 
			 Stoke Heath 115 105 190 247 235 164 112 173 162 179 177 
			 Thorn Cross 58 42 59 46 43 30 29 36 37 23 25 
			 Warren Hill 0 0 0 0 0 0 163 181 187 189 187 
			 Werrington 107 154 95 89 119 117 92 112 121 137 126 
			 Wetherby 214 144 272 246 295 294 298 261 293 279 302 
			 (1) Total includes all establishments; however the breakdown includes only those establishments with 10 or more juveniles in each year (except where there has been a change of function during the period). 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2 :  Young adults( 1)  in prison establishments in England and Wales as at 30 June each year, by establishment 
			   1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Total young adult population(2) 8,288 9,020 8,804 9,009 8,604 8,997 8,789 8,514 8,474 8,738 9,455 
			 Altcourse 0 93 89 98 68 110 85 65 83 153 162 
			 Ashfield 0 0 0 91 146 68 137 61 45 64 67 
			 Aylesbury 253 271 330 338 346 347 343 356 424 438 431 
			 Brinsford 413 326 344 306 278 280 267 263 261 262 325 
			 Bullwood Hall 40 62 50 56 75 120 110 110 99 0 0 
			 Chelmsford 55 75 68 133 162 166 170 148 120 142 215 
			 Cardiff 122 71 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Colchester 37 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Castington 0 297 274 122 76 151 135 230 231 238 245 
			 Drake Hall 21 14 11 16 29 40 29 28 13 25 12 
			 Doncaster 434 408 457 429 410 345 272 308 290 288 344 
			 Dorchester 31 21 22 28 18 18 19 22 29 31 23 
			 Deerbolt 323 299 399 457 365 473 422 467 417 400 416 
			 Dover 270 272 248 304 185 31 40 31 53 24 32 
			 Eastwood Park 19 40 37 46 48 54 40 49 34 67 65 
			 Exeter 76 76 73 58 49 46 69 51 74 51 70 
			 Forest Bank 0 0 0 241 222 218 232 130 137 155 113 
			 Feltham 595 531 454 497 475 384 365 411 404 402 407 
			 Guys Marsh 123 126 137 132 131 137 131 138 71 72 71 
			 Glen Parva 657 685 693 714 765 785 753 699 772 780 795 
			 Hollesley Bay (Warren Hill) 167 172 173 141 71 67 23 17 18 16 26 
			 Huntercombe 198 243 226 27 72 89 52 63 56 56 71 
			 Moorland Open 175 161 114 120 121 113 122 61 62 54 50 
			 Hindley 0 352 0 384 484 338 376 319 256 267 355 
			 Hull 106 90 105 113 118 104 124 95 100 94 126 
			 Holloway 60 50 70 63 40 57 51 43 65 110 109 
			 Lancaster Farms 444 416 427 356 383 296 295 305 296 306 304 
			 Low Newton 205 167 18 28 37 73 59 57 57 38 20 
			 Lewes 103 66 73 84 70 41 20 27 30 40 29 
			 Moorland 311 345 377 389 386 392 396 347 355 356 357 
			 New Hall 46 67 84 79 83 55 55 55 49 54 58 
			 Northallerton 271 217 230 216 170 223 217 226 211 211 247 
			 Norwich 74 64 135 133 164 161 154 143 165 170 169 
			 Onley 412 420 390 381 388 317 350 225 171 173 227 
			 Peterborough 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 29 45 
			 Portland 348 352 360 410 413 454 432 456 383 466 537 
			 Parc 0 190 243 356 364 452 484 390 393 378 415 
			 Rochester 0 71 90 79 91 167 167 300 386 380 382 
			 Reading 198 201 187 215 221 262 250 260 285 280 257 
			 Stoke Heath 205 477 433 323 290 482 493 477 465 484 488 
			 Swinfen Hall 177 276 262 280 298 300 301 367 354 342 439 
			 Styal 35 33 52 54 61 80 30 29 39 42 59 
			 Thorn Cross 231 208 199 202 192 192 179 226 206 188 230 
			 Woodhill 95 70 63 79 91 116 103 78 82 71 92 
			 Warren Hill 0 0 0 0 0 0 27 37 29 34 39 
			 Wetherby 19 139 61 23 44 40 46 32 53 52 56 
			 (1) Young adults are those aged 18-20 and those 21 year olds who were aged 20 or under at conviction who have not been reclassified as part of the adult population (2 )Total includes all establishments; however the breakdown includes only those establishments with 10 or more young adults in each year (except where there has been a change of function at the establishment during the period). 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3 :  Juvenile and young offenders in Secure Children's Homes and Secure Training Centres 2000-07 
			June 
			  Establishment type  Establishment  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Secure Children's Homes Aldine House 5 3 5 6 5 5 5 5 
			  Atkinson Unit 9 9 12 14 10 9 9 9 
			  Aycliffe Young People's Centre 27 31 33 33 34 31 26 30 
			  Barton Moss Secure Unit 14 16 17 18 20 19 20 16 
			  Briars Hey 3 5 3 6 0 0 0 0 
			  Clare Lodge 11 10 12 10 0 0 0 0 
			  Clayfields House 14 13 13 14 12 12 12 11 
			  Dales House 5 7 9 7 6 0 0 0 
			  Earlswood Secure Unit 3 2 2 1 2 0 0 0 
			  East Moor 29 29 34 31 34 35 33 31 
			  Gladstone House 8 5 9 13 16 16 16 9 
			  Hillside 16 13 16 14 15 14 13 14 
			  Kyloe House 3 5 4 3 3 3 3 3 
			  Lansdowne Children's Centre 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			  Leverton Secure Unit 5 5 5 9 0 0 0 0 
			  Lincolnshire Secure Unit 4 5 4 7 7 9 7 7 
			  Market Street 4 7 6 4 0 0 0 0 
			  Orchard Lodge 11 15 15 22 19 18 17 18 
			  Red Bank Community Home 25 27 26 28 28 28 27 28 
			  Redsands Secure Unit 4 3 6 3 0 0 0 0 
			  St. John's Centre (Tiffield) 9 12 10 13 10 0 0 0 
			  St. Catherines Centre for Girls 1 3 0 3 1 0 0 0 
			  Stamford House 18 14 20 19 0 0 0 0 
			  Stoke House 8 10 7 0 0 0 0 0 
			  Sutton Place 6 7 7 9 8 8 9 7 
			  Swanwick Lodge 0 7 8 8 10 10 10 7 
			  Thornbury House 1 7 4 7 6 0 0 0 
			  Vinney Green 20 16 20 21 20 21 20 19 
			  Watling House 3 3 6 4 0 0 0 0 
			 SCH total  266 290 313 327 266 238 227 214 
			   
			 Secure Training Centres Hassockfield STC 40 37 36 40 35 35 38 58 
			  Medway 41 36 42 66 76 69 64 64 
			  Oakhill STC 0 0 0 0 1 65 77 57 
			  Rainsbrook 44 43 57 77 70 75 72 82 
			 STC total  125 116 135 183 182 244 251 261 
			  Note: Data are not available pre 2000

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Fuel Poverty: Easington

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made on reducing fuel poverty in vulnerable households in Easington.

Malcolm Wicks: I have been asked to reply.
	Regional level estimates of households in fuel poverty are most recently available for 2003 and come from the Fuel Poverty Indicator Dataset available online at:
	http://www.fuelpovertyindicator.org.uk/
	The dataset does not attempt to split out vulnerable households from non-vulnerable.
	These show that in 2003, there were around 2,660 households (both vulnerable and non-vulnerable) in Easington local authority in fuel poverty.
	The only estimate that exists for previous years was for 1996 and is not strictly comparable with the 2003 figure as the geographical modelling was done at a different level. The indicative figure for 1996 was around 10,000 households living in fuel poverty in Easington.